Zoroastrian Theocracy

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Zoroastrian Theocracy (ZoroTheo) is an authoritarian, culturally right-wing historical ideology that wishes to establish a religious government with Zoroastrianism as the state religion. Zoroastrianism is notable for being the first documented monotheistic religion and greatly influencing all major Abrahamic religions through concepts such as Free Will, Dichotomy of Good and Evil, and Heaven and Hell, among others. Zoroastrian Theocracy was most relevant in Iran through the Persian Empires that held Zoroastrianism as a state religion, but since the Islamic Conquest of Iran Zoroastrianism went into decline and very few Zorastrian states existed since then, with no relevant Theocratic Zoroastrian movement existing today.

History

Zarathustra existed somewhere between 1500 BC and 500 BC in Iran where he would serve as a prophet for the Zoroastrian faith, which would slowly begin to spread around Iran and supersede the local pagan beliefs, eventually being adopted by the Median Empire which would later be succeeded by the Achaemenid Empire. The Achaemenids would go on to conquer most of the known world and create the Zoroastrian Theocracy to the largest extent, after their fall, different states in east Anatolia, including the Kingdom of Armenia, all the way to Afghanistan and India would also have Zoroastrianism as their state religion. After the fall of the Hellenistic Seleucids Iran would continue being ruled by a series of Zoroastrian empires such as the Parthians and the Sasanians.

The decline of Zoroastrianism would start with the Muslim Conquest of Persia done by the Rashidun Caliphate between 632 and 654 which would also lead to the Islamization of Persia. After the fall of the Sassanid Empire to the Rashiduns zoroastrian theocracy would be limited to mostly smaller kingdoms around the region of central asia, all of them eventually also either converting to Islam or being conquered by a larger non-zoroastrian neighbor, from that point on zoroastrianism would continue to decline and in the present day it has only around 100,000 to 200,000 followers, with no movements in favor of a zoroastrian theocracy existing today.

In the modern era, Zoroastrianism is divided between reformists and traditionalists. Traditionalists, mostly Parsis, maintain strict criteria for Zoroastrian identity, while reformists advocate a return to the Gathas, emphasize the faith as philosophy, and support ethical and social reforms. The Parsis have played a significant role in India's economic development, with notable contributions to business and industry.

Beliefs

Zoroastrian Theocracy wishes to install a government with a Zoroastrian leader (Typically a monarchical one), with Zoroastrianism as the official state religion and with Mobads as the official government clergy. historically this form of government manifested through the different Iranian empires in the classical eras that had a Zoroastrian King of Kings.

A manner in which Zoroastrian Theocracies differ from other Theocracies is how historically it treated its religious minorities. Zoroastrianism does not demand the conversion of heathens and so, as a consequence, Zoroastrian rulers often have treated their religious minorities with tolerance akin to multiculturalism, allowing for the co-living of different religious groups within Zoroastrian states, most exemplified by the actions of Cyrus the Great. However, exceptions do exist when it comes to religious oppression in Zoroastrian states such as during the rule of Khosrow I.

Tenets of Faith

In Zoroastrianism, Ahura Mazda is the supreme creator, responsible for both visible and invisible aspects of existence. The central concept is Asha, representing cosmic order and governing all creation. Daena, or spiritual conscience, influences Asha based on individual choices. Manthras, powerful prayer formulas, uphold Asha and combat evil.

Asha versus druj symbolizes the systemic conflict between order and chaos, truth and falsehood, rather than a personal good versus evil dichotomy. Mortals, as active participants, defend Asha through righteous deeds, following the Threefold Path: Good Thoughts, Good Words, Good Deeds (Humata, Huxta, Huvarshta).

Zoroastrianism emphasizes moral choice, rejecting predestination and advocating free will. Life is a temporary state, a battleground between Asha and Druj. The urvan (soul) unites with the fravashi (higher spirit) during life, inspiring good actions. Ancestral fravashis are revered.

Active, ethical participation in life through good deeds ensures happiness and combats chaos. Zoroastrianism lacks a strict notion of reincarnation but emphasizes the reunification of urvan and fravashi after death. The religion's ecological stance, praising nature's preservation, is tempered by historical exceptions like the extermination of perceived "evil" species.

Zoroastrianism's theological diversity reflects historical and modern influences, shaping individual beliefs. The ultimate goal is to become an ashavan, a master of Asha, contributing to the cosmic battle against evil. Core teachings include following the Threefold Path (good thoughts, good words, good deeds), practicing charity, acknowledging spiritual equality, and promoting goodness for its intrinsic value.

Cosmology

In the Zoroastrian creation myth, Ahura Mazda is the supreme, all-good creator, while Angra Mainyu is the destructive force. They have existed independently, representing light and darkness, good and evil. Ahura Mazda works through divine emanations like Amesha Spentas and Yazatas, with Asha being the cosmic order.

Asha, associated with truth and goodness, opposes chaos (druj) from Angra Mainyu. The conflict involves all creation, including humanity. Spenta Mainyu represents Asha in the cosmic struggle. Ahura Mazda created the universe in two parts: first spiritual, then physical, to trap evil. Gayomard and Gavaevodata were the first man and bovine.

Angra Mainyu, destructive by nature, created demons and evil creatures. Evil beings were created for each good one. Angra Mainyu invaded, causing suffering and death, but was trapped in the universe. From the dying man and bovine's seeds, life emerged, leading to the two-fold struggle of humans against evil.

Zoroastrian cosmology foretells Ahura Mazda's triumph over Angra Mainyu, resulting in Frashokereti—a cosmic renovation ending limited time. In this renewal, all creation, including the souls initially banished to darkness, reunites with Ahura Mazda in Kshatra Vairya, achieving immortality. Middle Persian literature introduces the Saoshyant, a savior-figure, bringing about Frashokereti, evolving from the Gathic concept of believers as Saoshyants.

Eschatology

Zoroastrianism teaches about the world's renovation (Frashokereti) and individual judgment, including the resurrection of the dead. At death, individuals face the Chinvat Bridge for spiritual judgment, determined by their choices between good and evil during life. The soul is judged by Yazatas, and the verdict leads to a pleasant or unpleasant crossing of the bridge.

The House of Lies is a temporary and reformative place where punishments match crimes, and souls don't face eternal damnation. Hell is filled with unpleasant conditions, and the punishment is proportional.

In Zoroastrian eschatology, a 3,000-year struggle between good and evil ends with evil's final assault. During this, the world experiences darkness, loss of reverence, and winter. Azi Dahaka, a fearsome miscreant, terrorizes the world. The Saoshyant, a final savior, is born to a virgin impregnated by Zoroaster's seed. The Saoshyant raises the dead for judgment, purging the wicked in hell. A river of molten metal purifies souls, and good triumphs over evil. The Saoshyant and Ahura Mazda offer a final sacrifice, granting immortality to all. The world undergoes transformation, emphasizing spiritual and physical judgments, reflecting a universalist perspective on salvation in Zoroastrianism.

Practices and Rituals

Throughout its history, Zoroastrianism has centered its worship and pilgrimage on shrines and temples. Early followers worshipped outdoors on mounds and hills with open-sky fires. As the Achaemenid Empire expanded, shrines dedicated to various deities, including Mithra and Anahita, were built across the empire. Today, worship mainly occurs in enclosed fire temples where clergy maintain fires of different grades.

Zoroastrianism incorporates cultural and local rituals, including herbal healing practices and wedding ceremonies, passed down in its communities. Traditional rituals had shamanic elements, involving spirit travel and consuming ritual aids like Haoma.

In Zoroastrianism, water and fire play crucial roles in purification ceremonies. Both elements symbolize life, with fire representing spiritual insight and wisdom, and water being the source of that wisdom. Prayers are often conducted in the presence of fire, and the main worship ritual involves strengthening the waters.

Dealing with the deceased is carefully managed to avoid polluting the good creation. Some communities practice ritual exposure, while others cremate or bury their dead.

The central ritual is the Yasna, a recitation of the Avesta's book and a sacrificial ceremony involving Haoma. The Yasna is a high ritual led by Mobads, who also oversee other rituals and prayers in the Khordeh Avesta.

Zoroastrians enter the faith through the Navjote/Sedreh Pushi ceremony, typically held during childhood or pre-teen years. Afterward, believers are encouraged to wear their ritual shirt and girdle daily for spiritual reminders and protection.

Historically, Zoroastrians pray the five daily Gāhs and celebrate various holy festivals based on their calendar. Prayers, called manthras, are reflective and supplicant, believed to have the power to banish evil. During prayer, devout Zoroastrians may cover their heads, but full veiling is not part of Zoroastrian practice. Iranian Zoroastrian women, for instance, display their hair and faces during prayers in defiance of Islamic Republic mandates.

Personality and Behavior

  • He loves Queen and especially Freddie Mercury.
  • Is a simp for Cyrus the Great and pre-Islamic Persian history.
  • Dislikes both Rome and Sparta.
  • Slightly islamophobic.
  • Very pious and philanthropic.

How to Draw

Flag of Zoroastrian Theocracy
  1. Draw a ball
  2. Draw a vertical tri-color in red, yellow and blue.
  3. Draw 2 blue 7-point stars on each side in the middle.
  4. Draw a white bird (without the head) in the middle.
  5. Draw a bearded head wearing a crown above the bird
  6. Draw a white hat (optional)
  7. Add the eyes, and you're done!
Color NameHEXRGB
 Dark Red#A90303rgb(169, 3, 3)
 Yellow#FED206rgb(254, 210, 6)
 Blue#003897rgb(0, 56, 151)
 White#FFFFFFrgb(255, 255, 255)


Relationships

Friends

  • Universal Monarchism - "I am Cyrus, King of the World, Great King, Mighty King, King of Babylon, King of Sumer and Akkad, King of the Four Quarters, the son of Cambyses, King of Anšan, grandson of Cyrus, descendant of Teispes, of an eternal line of kingship, whose rule Bêl and Nabu love, whose kingship they desire for their hearts' pleasure."
  • Jewish Theocracy - Once, two beliefs can co-exist in one rule.
  • Monarchism - Monarchist theocracies have been one of the oldest forms of government, we should not have stopped.
  • Multiculturalism - Since when did the concept of theocracy contradict people of different cultures and faiths living together with one another?Please ignore the Sassanid dynasty.
  • Virtue Ethics - Do good things, don't do bad things.

Frenemies

  • Imperialism - "I am Cyrus who won the Persians their empire." - But also, how dare the Rashiduns conquer Iran!
  • Christian Theocracy - We may have fought many battles against one another, but you take a lot from me and I appreciate that.
  • Byzantine Model - Our great and eternal rival, but I have grown to respect you.
  • Shia Theocracy - Some of your traditions are similar to mine, but you're still related to him.
  • Hindu Theocracy - Despite the fact that Hinduism and Zoroastrianism are related religions, it should be noted that Hindus consider Ahurumazda to be a demon (aka asuras), while devas (which are considered evil spirits in Zoroastrianism) are revered.
  • Pahlavism - The Celebration of the 2,500th Anniversary of the Founding of the Persian Empire was pretty based, ngl. But why did you teach children in school that the Zoroastrian clergy caused military defeats against the Arab invaders? And your modern supporters are anti-clerical and secularists, you seem to be only using my symbology to legitimize your autocratic rule.
    • - I learned my lesson to not be authoritarian after he overthrew me.
  • Nietzscheanism - Your book, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," is very much a testimony to my spiritual history, And how you split humanity into Ubermench and Last man groups is interesting. But your attempt to go Beyond Good and Evil is misguided, we must follow the Threefold Path of Asha to destroy evil, and not romanticize pain!

Enemies

  • Satanic Theocracy - Angra Mainyu!
  • Spartanism - This is blasphemy, this is madness! *kicked down hole* But I supported you in the Peloponnesian War
  • Athenian Democracy - SCREW YOU TOO!
  • Islamic Theocracy - YOU HEATHENS STOLE EVERYTHING FROM US!
  • Khomeinism - Even if you made Iran once again sovereign and strong, you have worked hard to keep me down and today, you are the greatest enemy of the people of Iran. And stop saying Israel is Satanic (Ahrimanic?), the Jews are friends of Persia.
  • Jihadism - Zoroastrianism may have spread through conquest, but it was through imperial conquest and not this sadistic and dogmatic religious violence you represent, you're at the present day my greatest enemy.

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