Zartomazdaism

Zorochristian Mazdaism

Zorochristian Mazdaism is a new variety of the ancient Iranian religion of Mazdaism or Zoroastrianism founded by the teacher Zoroaster, hundreds of years before the Christian Era.

Zorochristian Mazdaism has been devised to suit a European audience with its historically Christian culture. Thus in Zartomazdaism we emphasize the commonalities between the Zoroastrian and Christian traditions. Christianity is understood in a broad sense as including both orthodox and heterodox or gnostic forms.

Zoroaster

Zorochristians, regard the ancient religious philosopher known as Zoroaster as the original founder of their religion. Zoroaster whose name is also written as Zarathustra or Zartus and whose exact birth date is not known to academics is regarded by us to have lived about 1000BC in the lands of the ancient Iranians.

Zoroaster set out his thoughts in a number of hymns we call the Zartigathas or Songs of Zoroaster. These form the foundation scripture of Zorochristian Mazdaism, and can also be called the Gospel of Zoroaster.

Zoroaster was concerned with the question of Good and Evil in human affairs and how Mankind might bring about the Good Society marked by righteous order and human flourishing. The Good News that he brought is that the world works according to logical principles and that if we can master these principles with our minds then we will be able to speak the good words and take the right actions that are needed to overcome evil and bring about the best state of existence.

Ancient Enlightenment

Zoroaster set an example of enlightenment thinking - of seeking to use reason to tease out the principles behind existence so that we may influence it for the better.

This example spread out from Iran - Southwards to inspire the Vedanta philosophy of India, Eastwards to influence the foundation of Buddhism and Westwards to influence the thinking of the Greek philosophers. Zartomazdeans are particularly interested in the thinking of the Greeks such as Plato and Aristotle whose ideas have been of such influence on European and Christian thought.

Jesu-Christian Era

Zoroastrian ideas were mainstream in the Persian empire that bordered Palestine around the time of Jesus, and there was a strong Zoroastrian influence on the development of Christian doctrine.

Thus Zorochristians have an interest in the wisdom encapsulated in the Christian tradition, whether from the Bible, especially the New Testament, or other non-orthodox scriptures of the same era, or later writings by influential Christians, including those associated with the Roman Church.

NB Zorochristians consider Zoroaster as the philosophical founder of their tradition but we don't regard him as fully divine in the way that Jesus is regarded by Abramochristians, although we do recognize him as a saint. Zoroaster's role could perhaps be compared to that of John the Baptist in Abramochristianity.

Chrestors

Chrestors are human 'saviours' of the world (in Persian 'saoshyant'). Chrestors are people who work to help the living world by taking on the nature of Chrestus, the divine Chrestor and profitably using the powers of the Diva or divine personalities.

It is the agenda or purpose of Zorochristians to become good chrestors. We struggle towards the Good. We seek to play our part in the healing of the world from its corruption. We seek to stand against all deviation from the path of truth and righteousness. We work to restore the world it to its pristine freshness. We push for the righteous order that brings the common flourishing.

Relationship to other religions

Zorochristians, recognise a kinship with people in other religious traditions especially Abramochristians and Moslems and seek friendly relations where possible. Zorochristian Mazdaism is a monotheistic universal religion which believes that God's wisdom is revealed through the living world. Those with a similar attitude in other traditions are most likely to be able to co-operate with us.

Why do we use the term Abramochristianity?

Perhaps we might have used the word Judeo-Christianity which at first glance has the same meaning. However the term Judeo-Christianity is a modern invention that upsets the traditional understanding of followers of both Christianity and Judaism that their religions are incompatible with each other.

Instead we considered the term Jesuchristianity, however many Zorochristians also recognise Jesus as an important figure. Zorochristianity distinguishes the phenomenon of Christ from the historic person of Jesus, but nevertheless recognises him as a historically and still culturally important angel of Sarus, the essential listening and God-aware faculty of Chrestus, the divine Good One.

Abramochristianity seems to best describe that variety of Christianity that sees its foundation in the Old Testament of the Bible. It contrasts with the term Zorochristianity which sees its foundation in the teachings of Zoroaster.

Updated August 4024 ZHE and July 4025 and 4026 ZHE