I find Ahura Mazda to be very interesting. Ahura Mazda is the god worshipped by practitioners of Zoroastrianism. Out of everything Ahura Mazda created, the first two things created were twin spirits. Another important spirit was Asha, who was represented by fire.
Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion that worships Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrianism was started by Zarathustra, a Persian reformer. Zoroastrianism portrayed Ahura Mazda as the origin and creator of everything.
The twin spirits created by Ahura Mazda were opposites of one another. One of the spirits was named Spenta Mainyush. It represented everything that was good. Everything that followed this spirit was led to do good things. The other spirit, Angra Mainyush, led all that followed it to evil. Angra Mainyush is credited for the release of evil, such as death, destructiveness, and deceit. Zoroastrianism portrays the world as being represented by an army of good and an army of evil. The two armies are always at war. Everything in the world must choose a side based on its purpose. Only humans are given more choice because humans make their decisions consciously. Every natural thing must be either worshipped or rejected.
I feel that the battle between good and evil, which supposedly started with the twin spirits created by Ahura Mazda, is still continuing today. One of the largest natural wars we are in is global warming. People are using chemicals that pollute the Earth’s atmosphere. The pollution traps heat that is melting the icebergs. The repercussions are taking a heavy toll on the wildlife. Nature can’t resist this destruction so some people are trying to help. Many of the harmful chemicals are being replaced with safe chemicals that serve the same purpose. One of the most prominent examples is automobile fuel. The harmful gasoline emissions are being replaced with safer ethanol emissions. The ethanol used in automobiles is E85 ethanol fuel, which is comprised of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. According to General Motors’ Biofuels article, “E85 ethanol fuel is a cleaner-burning, mostly renewable fuel source made from mostly U.S.-grown corn and biomaterial, such as switchgrass and willow.” Some automobiles are even running on electricity alone, which has no emissions.
Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion that worships Ahura Mazda. Zoroastrianism was started by Zarathustra, a Persian reformer. Zoroastrianism portrayed Ahura Mazda as the origin and creator of everything.
The twin spirits created by Ahura Mazda were opposites of one another. One of the spirits was named Spenta Mainyush. It represented everything that was good. Everything that followed this spirit was led to do good things. The other spirit, Angra Mainyush, led all that followed it to evil. Angra Mainyush is credited for the release of evil, such as death, destructiveness, and deceit. Zoroastrianism portrays the world as being represented by an army of good and an army of evil. The two armies are always at war. Everything in the world must choose a side based on its purpose. Only humans are given more choice because humans make their decisions consciously. Every natural thing must be either worshipped or rejected.
I feel that the battle between good and evil, which supposedly started with the twin spirits created by Ahura Mazda, is still continuing today. One of the largest natural wars we are in is global warming. People are using chemicals that pollute the Earth’s atmosphere. The pollution traps heat that is melting the icebergs. The repercussions are taking a heavy toll on the wildlife. Nature can’t resist this destruction so some people are trying to help. Many of the harmful chemicals are being replaced with safe chemicals that serve the same purpose. One of the most prominent examples is automobile fuel. The harmful gasoline emissions are being replaced with safer ethanol emissions. The ethanol used in automobiles is E85 ethanol fuel, which is comprised of 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline. According to General Motors’ Biofuels article, “E85 ethanol fuel is a cleaner-burning, mostly renewable fuel source made from mostly U.S.-grown corn and biomaterial, such as switchgrass and willow.” Some automobiles are even running on electricity alone, which has no emissions.
Out of everything good that Ahura Mazda created, the spirit Asha was considered the best. Asha is represented by fire. Because of their devotion to Asha, “Zoroastrians were referred to as fire worshippers” (Solomon 59). Asha was also known as Righteousness.
Ahura Mazda was considered to be completely good. Ahura Mazda was immortal and, according to Zoroastrian teachings, the world is eternal. Life on earth is only one portion of the eternity.
References:
“Biofuels.” Fuel Solutions 2009 General Motors. 1 October 2009
http://www.gmaltfuel.com/fuel-
Solomon, Robert C. Introducing Philosophy. New York: Oxford UP, 2008.
Image Source:
“A failure of leadership in the private sector.” forceChange March 5, 2008. 09 Oct. 2009 http://forcechange.com/2008/03/05/a-failure-of-leadership-in-the
-private-sector/
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