One of the oldest religions in the world, which at one point had 40-50 million followers in India, is now on the verge of being extinct. Founded in the 6th century BC by the prophet Zoroaster in modern day Iran, what was then Persia, Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest religions in the history of the world, which at one time was also one of the largest belief systems as well. Once the state national religion of the Iranian people, there are several reasons for the decline of this once prestigious ancient philosophy, which in order to understand a little background about what Zoroastrians actually believe, is necessary.
The prophet Zoroaster founded the religion based on the Creator Ahura Mazda, the source of all the good in the world. The source of evil is said to be the force bent upon destroying the creation of Mazda, so therefore both good and evil have distinct sources and are at battle with one another. Zoroastrianism is synonymous with Mazdaism, which is the praise and worship of the divine authority and creator Mazda. Similar to other monotheistic religions, Mazda is the one and only uncreated being who serves as the creator of the universe ang the source of all the good in the world. This transcendent God created all things good and order, which is in constant struggle with chaos, falsehood and disorder. Zoroastrians believe that at one point the world will undergo a cosmic renovation after evil and chaos lose the fight against good and order and is dispelled, and all beings will be reunited with Ahura Mazda.
Zoroastrianism, while still strong through the development of the Islamic religion, lost some of its strength and power as Islam gained popularity. But the harder blow came when India’s economy started to grow and a powerful private-sector job market emerged. As there more and more opportunities to obtain a professional well-paying job sprouted up in front of young men in India, less and less found the desire to become a Zoroastrian priest appealing or even plausible. Now, in seminaries and priest training schools across India, there are usually more teachers than students, and it becomes more and more difficult to see how this religion has a chance of surviving in the long-term outside of history books and museums. So are we observing the quite end of an ancient, prestigious religion? Or will priests and belivers be able to educate and inspire enough of the next generation not only to keep it alive, but to allow it to thrive once again?
