c. 2007 Religion News Service

Good and Evil

Zoroastrians believe their God, Ahura Mazda, created all that is good in the world and gave humans the ability to make choices. One of those choices is evil. Evil is a force in the world called Angra Mainyu, but it was neither created by Ahura Mazda nor is it all knowing.

Monotheism

Some have called Zoroastrianism dualistic, but many scholars assert that the supremacy of Ahura Mazda makes it the first monotheistic faith and only ethically dualistic.

Judgment

Zoroastrians will face judgment based on their actions and intentions, which many explain as “good thoughts, good words, good deeds.”

Fire Temples

Zoroastrian houses of worship are called fire temples. Fire is a symbol that reminds Zoroastrians of truth, righteousness and justice.

What’s in a Name?

Zoroastrianism got its name from the West, which heard of the prophet Zoroaster, the Greek word for Zarathushtra.

KRE/PH END ROSEN

Editors: See main story, RNS-ZORO-FUTURE, and related sidebar, RNS-ZORO-VULTURES, transmitted March 27.