DISCUSSIONS ABOUT ZOROASTRIANISM
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# 36) Q: Is it true that the Kurds were original Zarathushtis? Did they voluntarily change to Islam, Judaism, Bahaism and Christianity? or was it really a case of " if you can't win them, join them". How much of Zoroastrian preachings and ideas are included in Yezidism and Yazdanism? There is a commomn practice among the Yezidis to adopt Muslim names and yet they declare they are not Muslims. How can it be so? I am perplexed. Could it be possible because of Islam, having gained an upper hand, is feared by the converted Kurds and Yezidis to say things which might upset
the Muslims and spark off a renewed persecution.

A: Well, actually originally the Kurds they were probably Daevayasnis. But they did indeed convert to Zoroastrianism sometime before the Achaemenians. Some Kurds have held on a to a variety of Mazdayasna in the guise of an Islamic sect (Yasidism. Some do claim to be Zoroastrian. The majority, normally, claim to be Muslim and some say they are Christian. As to Bahaii, I do not know.

Conversion to Islam has historically, almost always, been under some sort of pressure, either economical, social or even pressure by the sword. Many upper class Zoroastrians and certainly some Mobeds did convert out of convenience  and  some surely converted out of conviction. This last group might have been large, but since, even under economic and social pressures and even outright persecution, most of Iran was still Mazdayasni well into the 9th or 10th Century , this is unlikely.

As to Judaism, almost all Irani Jews are descendants of Jews that stayed behind after the Exile.

Yazidism, shows signs of Pre-Zarathushtra, Post Zarathushtra  Iranian religion, plus it shows a large amount of Christian and even Manichean influence.

As to Muslim names , you are probably correct in your speculation. But they also have, historically, claimed to be a variety of Islam (for the same purposes i.e. avoid persecution)

# 37) Q: What is Zoroastrianism connection to superstiton? Why is it said that Zoroastrianism is soley based on superstition?

A: Who is saying that Zoroastrianism is solely based on superstition? It cannot be, credibly argued, that whatever cannot be weighed, measured, smelled etc., is not real. Otherwise, many things that we know from experience to be real, would not be so and would be superstition. But since you are not mentioning whom and under what argument is saying that Mazdayasna is based on superstition, I cannot specifically address the argument.

In general, superstition, from a Zarathushtrian point of view, is a belief on things and doctrines, that are, after examination, not logically valid. In other words, within the realm of human knowledge, there are many things that cannot be proven empirically and must be held , if at all, on conviction.(belief or faith).  However some of these beliefs are not sustainable on logical grounds. For example, the wide spread believe, at the time of Zarathushtra, that a God, or gods, would exhibit the same ethical  characteristics and behavior as human beings, is considered by Zarathushtis, invalid as by definition , a God or gods, if it, or they were to exist, would be greater in every aspect, including ethics, than mortals.

An unethical deity, or deities, that created mortals, would have not created the inclination or impulse for selfless action, to benefit others, created mortals with the ability for remorse, self recrimination etc. To say that He, or they, did, is illogical, because such a deity would see no purpose for these things. Indeed it would not even consider them. Since, obviously, mortals behave in these ways,  which are ethical, it would mean that these ethical behaviors had to come from an ethical source, that is, from an ethical creator. So to hold that unethical deities, or even deities with ethics inferior to men, exist would be, according to Zarathushti doctrine, logically invalid and thus superstition.

Hope this answers your question.

# 38) Q: How does the Zoroastrian belief feel about some common issues of today, namely that of abortion and homosexuals?

A: A very good question. It depends. Zarathushtra did not talk about sex or abortion. In general, because of the non-judgmental character of his doctrine, it seems hardly like it that he would have condemned homosexuality in any way.

Having said that,  extremely and mildly conservative Zoroastrians are probably against gay sex and certainly against gay marriage. Parsi Jartoshtis, (The Parsisism sect within Zoroastrianism) is, officially, virulently anti-gay and certainly pro-life.

The latter Avestan religion, which diverted Zarathushtra's original teachings, was definitely anti gay, considering gay sex the one unpardonable thing. They were also pro-life.

Most progressive and Restorationist Zarathushtians are open to gay membership and pro-choice. As to gay marriage, I do not know what % would be for it. Personally, I believe that life begins at conception, however, I do recognize it is a matter of belief. I am totally pro-gay and pro gay marriage.

The question for a Zoroastrian is a matter of choice. For example, even though I believe that life begins at conception, I firmly belief,  with all Zarathushtis, that we all have the right to choose and that these choices have consequences.

Thus while I would counsel, any one that wants my counsel, against having an abortion, I would not  ever deny you the right to choose to have one, if you so want it. One caveat the choices we make; MUST BE informed choices, that is, one has the social responsibility to actually study the issue and
make a choice, based on evidence and not on preferences or convenience.

Not wanting to be embarrassed, or to have to alter or postpone career goals, etc; does not cut it as a reason to end a human life, if you are convinced it is a human life. That, only the person involved and his or her conscience will know for sure.

In the same vein I would argue that gays have every right to marriage, but I would not impose my beliefs on you, although I would point out the logical inconsistencies in a position, that bans marriage for people that love each other on the one hand and  grants  it to others with the same affections, just because of sexual differences.

All these things, though, are not dogma since Zoroastrianism is not a dogmatic religion. Zarathushtra  calls humanity to think, inform themselves and choose, not to just blindly follow on  blind faith.

# 39) Q: I would like to make some comments about Kurds and Zoroashtrianism. All the Kurds were Zoroashtrians from the beginning of their existence. Since all Kurds lived in one area in centra Asia, and that is Kurdistan. Although the Great Kurdistan is divided nowadays into five
different countries, the Kurds are still living in a continuous, artificially bordered land. Later some Kurds converted to Judaism, and Christianity. But much later, they were brutally forced,  that took
centuries, to leave their beleif the Religion of Bahdini, The Zoroastrianizm and got converted to islam. Although they were converted by force, still they did not leave totally behind their Zoroastrian beleif and their way of life. In reality, their culture and way of life( peacefull way of living and thinking, tolerance of othres) is still Zoroastrian. A muslim Kurd may stand on a prayer rug and pray according to the muslim way in a language that she/he still does not understand, she/he still is a Zoroashtrian in mind and heart, she/he shows it in his behavior, in her/his respect for life, nature and powers of nature. After centuries of persecution and genocide in all its forms, they are confused. They have not yet rested from their wounded past to figure out what do they beleive in. Once they settle, perhaps, they have time to think better and gain back their rich heritage and culture of Zoroashtrianizm. May Ahura Mazda bless them and prosper them.

A: Yes friend, I am in general agreement with everything you have said above. The history of the Kurds is a sad one indeed, as it is the  history of Zoroastrians in general. But there is hope, that one day  we will experience the Great Return and those that were forcefully stripped away from their roots, will come back once more to them.

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