John Shaqi
Religion6th century BCE (or earlier)~110 thousand adherents

Zoroastrianism

Founder
Zarathustra (Zoroaster)
Origin
Ancient Persia

One of the world's oldest monotheistic faiths, teaching the cosmic struggle between truth and falsehood.

Zoroastrianism

Overview

Zoroastrianism

Zoroastrianism is among the oldest continuously practised religions, founded by the prophet Zarathustra (Zoroaster) in ancient Persia. It proclaims a single supreme God, Ahura Mazda, the source of light and truth.

Its scripture, the Avesta (here the Zend-Avesta), preserves the Gathas — hymns attributed to Zarathustra himself. The faith frames existence as a moral struggle between asha (truth, order) and druj (falsehood, chaos), summoning each person to good thoughts, good words, and good deeds.

Once the imperial religion of Persia, it deeply influenced later Abrahamic ideas of heaven, hell, and judgement.

Sacred Scriptures

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The Zend Avesta

James Darmesteter

The primary collection of sacred texts of Zoroastrianism.

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Critics, Defenders & Scholars

Scholars

Mary Boyce

Historian of Religion · 1920–2006 · British

The foremost modern scholar of Zoroastrianism, whose fieldwork and histories defined the field.

A History of Zoroastrianism

Sacred & Scholarly Books

Well-known works on Zoroastrianism — readable in full, right here in the Library.

A Treatise of Human NatureHume, David
A Treatise of Human Nature

A Treatise of Human Nature

Hume, David

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A Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales, for Girls and BoysHawthorne, Nathaniel
A Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales, for Girls and Boys

A Wonder Book and Tanglewood Tales, for Girls and Boys

Hawthorne, Nathaniel

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An Essay on Man; Moral Essays and SatiresPope, Alexander
An Essay on Man; Moral Essays and Satires

An Essay on Man; Moral Essays and Satires

Pope, Alexander

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Apologia pro vita sua : $b being a history of his religious opinionsNewman, John Henry
Apologia pro vita sua : $b being a history of his religious opinions

Apologia pro vita sua : $b being a history of his religious opinions

Newman, John Henry

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As a man thinkethAllen, James
As a man thinketh

As a man thinketh

Allen, James

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Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's "De Consolatione Philosophiae"Boethius
Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's "De Consolatione Philosophiae"

Chaucer's Translation of Boethius's "De Consolatione Philosophiae"

Boethius

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Dialogues Concerning Natural ReligionHume, David
Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion

Dialogues Concerning Natural Religion

Hume, David

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DraculaStoker, Bram
Dracula

Dracula

Stoker, Bram

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Egyptian Ideas of the Future LifeBudge, E. A. Wallis (Ernest Alfred Wallis), Sir
Egyptian Ideas of the Future Life

Egyptian Ideas of the Future Life

Budge, E. A. Wallis (Ernest Alfred Wallis), Sir

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Grace Abounding to the Chief of SinnersBunyan, John
Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners

Bunyan, John

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HereticsChesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)
Heretics

Heretics

Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)

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Marius the Epicurean — Volume 2Pater, Walter
Marius the Epicurean — Volume 2

Marius the Epicurean — Volume 2

Pater, Walter

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On the Economy of Machinery and ManufacturesBabbage, Charles
On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures

On the Economy of Machinery and Manufactures

Babbage, Charles

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OrthodoxyChesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)
Orthodoxy

Orthodoxy

Chesterton, G. K. (Gilbert Keith)

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Paradise LostMilton, John
Paradise Lost

Paradise Lost

Milton, John

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Physico-theology : $b Or, a demonstration of the being and attributes of God, from His works of creationDerham, W. (William)
Physico-theology : $b Or, a demonstration of the being and attributes of God, from His works of creation

Physico-theology : $b Or, a demonstration of the being and attributes of God, from His works of creation

Derham, W. (William)

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Scarhaven KeepFletcher, J. S. (Joseph Smith)
Scarhaven Keep

Scarhaven Keep

Fletcher, J. S. (Joseph Smith)

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SiddharthaHesse, Hermann
Siddhartha

Siddhartha

Hesse, Hermann

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Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae): From the Complete American EditionThomas, Aquinas, Saint
Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae): From the Complete American Edition

Summa Theologica, Part I-II (Pars Prima Secundae): From the Complete American Edition

Thomas, Aquinas, Saint

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The Autobiography of Benjamin FranklinFranklin, Benjamin
The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin

Franklin, Benjamin

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The Devil's DictionaryBierce, Ambrose
The Devil's Dictionary

The Devil's Dictionary

Bierce, Ambrose

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The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 2 of 2)Frazer, James George
The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 2 of 2)

The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 2 of 2)

Frazer, James George

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The Great Controversy Between Christ and SatanWhite, Ellen Gould Harmon
The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan

The Great Controversy Between Christ and Satan

White, Ellen Gould Harmon

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The Greatest Thing In the World and Other AddressesDrummond, Henry
The Greatest Thing In the World and Other Addresses

The Greatest Thing In the World and Other Addresses

Drummond, Henry

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