So you think Christians have it bad keeping its membership up? Well, we're not alone. Just ask any practicing Zoroastrian and he or she will tell you that they're playing with the numbers game too. Why? According to a New York Times article in today's edition, one of the main issues lie with the high rate of intermarriage. They (Zoroastrian priests) believe that no one should forfeit their religion just for the sake of converting to the Zoroastrian faith. Another danger of the conversion process is the fear that customs and rituals will eventually disappear. It is interesting to note that there are no listings in any Zoroastrian texts that ban intermarriage, however, but the article states that more than 40 percent of the priests are opposed to intermarriage and the conversion process.
Zoroastrians do not proselytize, they can pray at home instead of going to a temple, and there is no hierarchal structure. Their basic doctrine is a universal ethical precept: "good thoughts, good words, good deeds." The picture above shows Zoroastrian priests (mobeds) about to burn fankincense and sandalwood at a service for the departed.
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Zoroastrians do not proselytize, they can pray at home instead of going to a temple, and there is no hierarchal structure. Their basic doctrine is a universal ethical precept: "good thoughts, good words, good deeds."
Not far from the Queer Nation slogan, ("We're here, we're queer, get used to it") changed a bit for the Zoroastrian's laid-back take on religion:
"We're here,
Low gear,
And used to it."
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