Zoroastrianism
This article deals with Zoroastrianism as it relates to NationStates. For more general information, see the Wikipedia article on this subject.
Zoroastrianism or Zártosht (Persian: ﺖﺸﺗﺭﺯ) Is known as one of the worlds oldest monotheistic religions. It is the official religion of Parthia.
The main tenets of Zoroastrianism are Monotheism and the belief of the divine truth of the religion as revealed to the prophet Zarathustra. Zoroastrians worship only one god: Ahura Mazda, the creator of all things (originally made perfectly good), the omnipotent, omniscent, omnipresent, and omnibenificent. Opposing him, is Ahriman, corrupter of Ahura Mazda's creation, father of the untruth. Ahriman is the only limit to Ahura Mazda's omipotence and omniscience as the two fight for the material world.
Humans are given free will to choose between Ahura Mazda or Ahriman, living life according to the principles of each, and will be judged in the afterlife accordingly. As such, Zoroastrianism rejects predestination and expounds free will and individual choice.
In terms of age, Zoroastrianism is often placed by various estimates to have originated in a range from 6400 BCE (according to Plato) to 600 BCE, though most scholars use lingustic evidence to place the writings of Zarathustra within a range of 1500-1200 BCE, though many others continue to place it at 600 BCE.
Zoroastrianism, though not a widespread religion in terms of nations where it is the dominant faith, is still a powerful force within the NS world. The most well-known Zoroastrian nation is Parthia, where it is the official state religion, and is activley supported by the government. The Theocratic Principality of Nuekallaya is another powerful Zoroastrian state, run according to many Zoroastrian traditions. Scythirus' official state religion is a peculiar branch of Zurvanism, one that has developed a few unique traditions. Zoroastrians are also a sizable minority in Roach-Busters. Pacitalia's senior deputy prime minister Diego Zuna is a convert to the faith.
