Zoroastrianism heavily influenced the development of the Judeo-Christian traditions, from its worldview right down to its suppositions about the afterlife. It is currently practised by millions of people in Iran and also in India, where followers are called Parsis.
The truths of Zoroastrianism are found in the Gathas, five poetic songs composed by Zarathustra and preserved by Zoroastrianist priests over the centuries. As well as being one of the original monotheistic religions, Zoroastrianism was first responsible for bringing a moral element into the discussion of the afterlife. Humans do have individual, immortal souls, and the themes of Heaven and Hell infuse this faith, rather than those of karma and reincarnation.
The motto of Zoroastrianism is "Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds". Following their life on earth, each person is judged by God according to how much good or bad they have done. If you have opted to live in purity, your soul will be directed to Heaven or "best existence," as it is simply called by Zoroastrians. Those who have practised evil end up in "worst existence," or Hell.
Upon dying, a person must pass across a narrow bridge. At the entrance to the bridge stands Conscience or daena, a maiden who represents the individual soul. Pure souls view her as a beautiful and dignified woman, but evil souls see her as a witch. She leads the good over the bridge to the "House of Songs" to become angel-like creatures who watch over people on earth. Those who reject her are cast into the abyss below to dwell in the "House of Lies".
This faith has been called practical and world-oriented. Because it is focussed on the causality which links the presence of good thoughts to creating peace and happiness in the world, it does not reflect any anti-religion or anti-cultural sentiment toward other faiths. The emphasis lies on good thoughts and good action, thus guaranteeing your happiness in the after-world.
Zoroastrians believe in the progress of sacred time, where everything on earth is gradually evolving to become its true heavenly idea. Inside the minds of all human beings, there is an ongoing struggle between Good and Evil - Spenta Mainyi, the Holy Creative Spirit, battles with Angra Mainyu, the hostile spirit. This is a constant human ethical struggle. Some Zoroastrians believe it stems from a cosmic duality where the universe possesses two sides, Good and Bad, ruled respectively by the Good God and Evil Spirit.
Ahura Mazda (Wise Lord) is transcendent but also connected to human beings through a set of seven Attributes, which are Godlike qualities that exist on earth to allow us to be closer to the divine source of life. The Attributes are as follows: Vohu Manah (Good Thought - connected with animals); Asha Vahishta (Justice and Truth - fire and energy); Kshathra (Dominion - metals and minerals); Spenta Armaiti (devotion and Serenity - Earth and land); Haurvatat (wholeness - waters); Ameretat (immortality - plants); and Spenta Mainyu (creative energy - human beings).
These qualities are sometimes embodied as divine spirits or concepts, but never worshipped on their own. Through them, humans can connect with God and refine their thoughts toward goodness and purity.
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