Iranian Unitarian Universalists
Iranian Unitarian Universalists |
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One of the six recognized sources of the living Unitarian Universalist tradition is wisdom from the world's religions which inspires us in our ethical and spiritual life. Among these world religions, there is one very influential unitarian, universalist faith that I find quite inspiring. This religion is Zoroastrianism.
Zoroastrianism is the oldest monotheistic religion. It is so old, in fact, that its monotheism exhibits remnants of its polytheistic, pagan past, yet it is essentially monotheistic. There is a strong God vs. Satan dualism to it, but the final victory of Good over Evil is not in doubt. The emphasis on the ascenadancy of Good is evidenced by the absence of any mention of Satan in the Gathas, the most holy scriptures of Zoroastrianism (A Spirit of Evil is mentioned, yet not personified in the same way that the Spirit of Good is). The faith in victory of Good over Evil is so thorough, in fact, that it is believed that Evil will not only be defeated, but it will be annihilated, effectively redeeming all souls unto salvation. Hence this faith is universalist.
The monotheism of Zoroastrianism is unitarian. There is no confusion whatsoever between prophet and God. Though Zoroaster exhibits an unshakable faith in his God and the ultimate victory of his cause, yet Zoroaster does not claim to have firsthand knowledge of the will of God. There is nothing resembling the Trinity.
Nature and divinity are tied closely together in Zoroastrianism. Born into a culture of gods and spirits, Zoroaster conceived of six arcangels, or as he named them, "holy immortals", each representing at once an aspect of nature and a characteristic of divinity. Each is a guardian of its respective portion of existence, and also a spiritual power. The earth was thus associated with love and devotion, water with health and wholeness, the sky with God's dominion, fire with moral truth, the plant world with life and immortality, and the animal kingdom with divine mentality. Each of these arcangels was to Zoroaster an unwavering servant of God; an extension of God's will; a divine characteristic personified into a holy being.
The basic mantra of Zoroastrianism is Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.
Zoroastrian is unitarian and universalist, yes, but perhaps the truest characterization of Zoroastrianism is that it is an ethical religion. It is perhaps the most ethically focused religion, inasmuch it sees good and evil at the heart of existence. Though Zoroastrianism is overloaded with distracting rituals and superstitions, it is undeniably a faith of ethics at its core. It is a faith of individual free will and responsibility. Every soul is given the choice of being either an ally or an adversary of God. There will be hell to pay for the adversaries, but in the end, all will be forgiven. Good will prevail utterly, and Good will not say "Vengeance is Mine". All suffering, even the pain of Hell, is brought upon the living and deceased by Evil.
The duty of Zoroastrians is the renovation of existence, which includes—or even emphasizes—the renovation of this world. Zoroastrianism, though littered with ancient superstitions about evil substances, spirits, and creatures, is fundamentally affirmational regarding this world. This world is good in its conception and ultimate potential, and in the end it will be purified. This principal is reminiscent of the Christian Kingdom of God on Earth, only it is organic instead of miraculous. Some scholars believe that it is the origin of the Kingdom of God on Earth idea. It is more closely related, in its pragmatic and ethical focus, to the Unitarian Universalist goal of world community with peace, liberty, and justice for all, except that to Zoroastrians it is more than a goal; it is the destiny of the world.
Where the faith of Jesus Christ is one of brotherly love—also known as Christian charity, passion, and sacrifice, Zoroastrianism is more about right mindedness and effective action. There is love and passion in Zoroastrianism, but I think it fair to say that good thought, expression, and action are the emphasis. Even with the superstitions it's accumulated over the millenia, Zoroastrianism is nonetheless more ethical than passionate, and hence more rationalistic. I do not mean to denigrate Christianity, for I find a message of love and compassion equally valuable, if not moreso. More to the point, these two faiths may complement each other well as we strive to appreciate each for its message to humanity.
Zoroastrianism, to some modern proponents of the faith, is a matter of individual conviction and reasoned belief. To the majority, however, Zoroastrianism is a body of fixed traditional practices, ... not expressed in doctrinal principles or systems of belief, but observed in prescribed rites and fixed forms of religious behaviour, which shape their lives and endow them with meaning and purpose. — S.A. Nigosian, The Zoroastrian Faith
There is a growing tension within the Zoroastrian community springing from the discovery of some believers that their holiest scriptures do not appear to be ritualistic at all, but rather, these scriptures appear to expound a kind of rationalistic world view, and a universalist salvation that is equivalent to oneness with the Good Mentality of God.
This difference in views resembles a chicken-and-egg paradox, where one side insists that good mentality leads to good behavior, and the other side insists that good (pious) behavior produces good mentality.
Unfortunately, differences between some traditionalists and reformists appear to have escalated beyond civilized disagreement. Hopefully this contention is more marginal than it appears on the Internet.
Zoroastrianism appears to be a faith that permits its adherants to remember the past, look to the future, and live in the present. It has evolved—and perhaps at times deteriorated—through millenia, and has a history and prehistory worth remembering, even honoring. Zoroastrianism is also very adaptable to modern needs, as many enthusiastic reformists attest, but a price must be paid: some tradition must be released and left to the past. As for living in the present, Zoroastrianism is, at its core, a faith of this world, and a faith of practical ethics.
Traditionalists and reformists ought to be able to shake hands and agree to disagree. Perhaps most of them do. It is important for traditional cultures to survive, especially those with such a rich heritage as that of the Parsis. Reformists ought to leave them be, and get on with the business of Good Religion. Traditionalists, in turn, don't have to believe that reform is a good thing, but they ought not get too caught up in such contention with a group who try to live by the mantra Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds.
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Zoroastrians as a rule are successful, upstanding citizens. Their practical, affirmative, ethical faith is something to admire, and if the majority of researchers have it right, a major influence on our Judeo-Christian heritage. It is my personal belief that Unitarian Universalists and other Westerners ought to befriend Zoroastrians as an acknowledgement of their rich heritage, and as an effort to celebrate what common ground we have with these remarkable people of South Asia. Here in San José, California, we have the good fortune of a modest Zoroastrian temple. It is a pleasure to pay a friendly visit there on occasion, and it is likewise a pleasure to worship there, before their idea of a flaming chalice. |