Comparison between Christianity and Zoroastrianism
Religion has been an essential part of society since ancient time. Many of the world’s religions especially Zoroastrianism and Christianity have been present since old time. Christianity and Zoroastrianism have a lot in common. Each faith has social features that are present to date. Zoroastrian principles have impacted world religions, particularly Christianity both direct and indirect, which lead to some similarities between the religions.
Zoroastrianism is a religion from ancient Iran named after founding Prophet Zarathustra, who lived 1000 BCE. Zoroastrianism is considered a monotheistic religion with many dualistic overtones and is placed among the most significant religious traditions of human history. Zoroastrian faith which is known in Iran as Mazdayansa (the worship of the wise Lord Ahura Mazda) was the state religion of the Sasanians, Iran’s pre-Islamic empire. Zoroastrian faith is still alive today in small remnant communities that have preserved their traditions over the past centuries.
Zoroastrian followers were divided into two deities; Ahura Mazda, “The Lord of Truth,” and Angra Mainyu, an evil spirit who opposes Ahura Mazda. Spenta Mainyu was a divine spirit composing of life, order, perfection, health, happiness, increase. Angra Mainyu is not life, chaos, imperfection, disease, sorrow, and destruction.
Many Zoroastrians chose Ahura Mazda as the deity worth their worship. Zoroastrians believed that Ahura Mazda, created heaven and earth, day and night, darkness and light. Since Zoroastrianism is not a religion its message on duality does not get conveyed to the masses. Zoroastrians believe each of us is judged according to the goodness or evilness of our thoughts, work, and deeds. The higher the kindness, the more full the bridge to Heaven. The higher the accumulated evil, the narrow the bridge, until it is so small that souls cannot cross. They fall into hell, the house of a lie, a dark, woeful place.
Zoroastrians built three permanent fire alters, each dedicated to a different caste group. Magi (MAH-jai), a male hereditary priest tended the fire to make sure it never went off at the site. The elaborate ritual was performed to relight the light just in case it went off. Fire alters were formed in each town, individual households, and worshipers fed flames five times a day when they recite prayers.
Christianity is a religion based on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus was born as a Jew 2000 years ago in Roman-occupied Palestine. Jesus taught for fewer than three years and was executed by the Roman government on charges of treason. Christianity, like Zoroastrianism, is both dualistic, and monotheistic. Christians believe in the Holy Bible, which is used as a reference for guidance, and universal life principle. We have two different versions of the Bible; the Old Testament and the New Testament written after Jesus.
Christians believe in Yahweh as the supreme deity holding sway over all heavens. Lucifer’s (the King of the Darkness) goal is to win many souls as possible from Yahweh. Angel Gabriel is sent from Heaven by Yahweh to tell the Virgin Mary that she will conceive a son and name him Jesus Christ, the savior. Christians believe Jesus died on the cross to save humanity from his sins. John 3:16 states that “for God so loved the world, that he gave his beloved son that whosoever believes in him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” Christians believe Jesus Christ is the truth, way, and life. John 14:6 says “Jesus said to him, I am the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the father, but by me.” Protestants believe that to receive the gift of eternal life, you must accept Jesus as the true Lord
Christians believe in prayers. Some Christians pray alone, while others pray as a group. Christians believe that one has to be baptized to be born again and become a witness. John the Baptist baptized Jesus Christ before he started a ministry. Apart from prayers, and baptism, there are other symbolic forms of Christian worship that like the Zoroastrian belief have been existing for years. They include singing hymn songs, laying of hands by evangelists, new day apostles, leaders attempting to heal the sick.
Zoroastrianism and Christianity originated in the Middle East. The Middle East is an arid area, consisting of grassy plains, desert, river systems, coastal regions, and subtropical landscape. Harsh climatic conditions enabled Iranians to exchange ideas with Palestinians.
Migration between two civilizations can be excellent and irritating for the other; geographical evidence suggests that as time went on the Palestinians habit of roaming neighboring territories helped them establish their beliefs as the dominating force over the Iranians. Empirical evidence tells that, although Zoroastrianism came first, Christianity was widely spread, and still one of the most dominant religions today. Based on the evidence, Zoroastrianism had a direct impact on Christianity. Christianity being a missionary religion, importation, and exportation of Christian’s writings have helped shape and establish it as one of the great religions today.
Works cited
Fisher, Mary Pat. Living Religions. Pearson; 10 edition (January 13, 2016), 2016:1-556