Zorastrianism

            Zoroastrianism is a religion, which teaches a belief in one God, Ahura Mazda. Its theology has had a great impact on Judaism, Christianity and other religions, in the beliefs surrounding God and Satan, the soul, heaven and hell, resurrection, and final judgment. It is one of the oldest religions still in existence and may have been the first monotheistic religion. The prophet Zoroaster founded Zoroastrianism in ancient times and it is still practiced worldwide today, especially in Iran and India.
             According to Zoroastrian tradition, Zoroaster was born in North Eastern ancient Iran between the early 600's and the mid-500's B.C. Historians on the other hand believe that he lived between 1400 and 1000 B.C. Zoroaster comes from the Persian name Zarathustra, which means "He of the Golden Light." Zoroaster was said to be the first prophet to preach a monotheistic religion. He revealed that there was only one God, Ahura Mazda, and brought his word when he came to earth. He introduced humans to the concepts of free choice, good works, heaven and hell, final judgment, and taught them that they had a purpose in life. He also revealed that life was a battle between good spirits (Spenta Mainyu) and evil spirits (Angra Mainyu) and in the final days there would be a battle between the two; the good spirits would vanquish the evil spirits and the world would be purified by a bath of molten metal. Ahura Mazda would then judge the world and His Kingdom would be established on earth. The Zoroastrian holy book, called the Avesta, includes the original words of their founder, Zoroaster. It is a series of five hymns called the Gathas. The Gathas are abstract sacred poetry, which deal with the worship of Ahura Mazda and a person's choice between good and evil. Many centuries later the rest of the Avesta was written. This later part of the book contained laws of ritual and practice and the traditions of the faith.