Zoroastrianism is Dying

Before there was Christianity and Islam, there was the ancient religion created by the prophet Zoroaster. I never knew about it. I didn't grow up learning about it. But the religion's ideas had forever changed the Western world; we all owe the popular idea of good God versus evil demon to this religion. Now the religion is dying.

It's called Zoroastrianism. The prophet Zoroaster had a vision that led an entire people off of ancient Buddhism.

Ancient Buddhism believed the earth had pleasure and suffering. The only way to enlightenment was to separate yourself, to reach nirvana. Meditate and don't cause suffering. Also, don't have any pleasure. Barely anyone could do this.

In Zoroaster's vision there was Arhura Mazda (meaning "Light"). Mazda was a particular God (among many) that loved the human race. So humans worshipped him. After all, anything good that happened came from Mazda. Anything bad, by other gods. The only way to be saved was through Mazda. Do the things that helped Mazda bring pleasure to people. Die and go to a lovely place. Do the things that cause suffering and be destroyed.

In Joseph Campbell words, Mazda was the personification of everything good. His jealous rival Angra Mainyu was the personification of all evil.

The Egyptians jumped on the Zoroastrian idea of having an afterlife, plus Good gods and Bad gods. This is clear in the Isis/Osiris/Horus myth.

And Islam and Christianity were born from it. Christianity, in fact, was a result of merging ideas of Judaism, Zoraster, Egyptian and pagan myths all together to create one. Before Mohammed, Iranians all worshipped Mazda. But the idea is basically the same. You have to get to heaven through a representative of Good.

Judaism evolved from Zoroastrian ideas too. In ancient Judaism, according to Anthony Mercatante, God created both pleasure and suffering, good and bad. You thanked God for the good and if you suffered, it's because God willed it. The chosen people are saved at the end. Later Judaism was changed. God only creates good things now, not bad. The devil does bad; he causes suffering. Ancient judaism would've never given the devil such power.

But there are few Zoroastrians left. I'm not saying that's a bad thing. The religion's law of not allowing converts has led to its doom. Some Zoroastrians are trying to change the law. Eventually, maybe it will change. But nonetheless, we mustn't forget this ancient religion.