Criticism of Zoroastrianism

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Criticism of Zoroastrianism has taken place over many centuries not only from the adherents of other religions but also among

Zoroastrians
themselves seeking to reform the faith.

Zoroaster

In the early 19th century, a Christian missionary based in

John Wilson, claimed that Zoroaster never had a genuine divine commission (or ever claimed such a role),[1] never performed miracles, or uttered prophecies and that the story of his life is "a mere tissue of comparatively modern fables and fiction."[2][3] Others assert that all the available Zoroastrian sources regarding Zoroaster only provide conflicting images about him,[4] especially between earlier and later sources.[5]

Literature

The

Kadmi, it is generally believed to be a forgery.[6]

Wilson argued that the

Gathas to be the only texts and only authoritative scriptures that could be attributed to Zoroaster.[9]

Polytheism

John Wilson attacked the Zoroastrian reverence of the

Angra Mainyu.[15] and arguing that Zoroastrians follow a belief system influenced by henotheism. Other Western scholars such as Martin Haug, however, have dismissed the concept of theological dualism as a corruption of Zoroaster's original teachings, gradually added by later adherents of the faith.[16] Critics add that the fact that such differing views have proliferated is a sign of the enigmatic nature of the Zoroastrian beliefs regarding the divinity.[17]

Intra-Zoroastrian divisions

Zoroastrian reformers, such as Maneckji Nusserwanji Dhalla, have argued that literary precedence should be given to the Gathas, as a source of authority and textual authenticity. They have also deplored and criticized many Zoroastrian rituals (e.g. excessive ceremonialism and focus on purity,[18][19] using "bull's urine for ritual cleansing, the attendance of a dog to gaze at the corpse during funerary rites, the exposure of corpses on towers [for consumption by vultures and ravens]")[20][21] and theological and cosmological doctrines as not befitting of the faith.[22] This orthodox versus reformist controversy rages even on the internet.[23]

Divisions and tensions also exist between

Mazdaism.[25]

Who is a Zoroastrian (Zarathushti)?

Much like the question of who is a Jew?, Zoroastrian identity, especially whether it is adopted through birth or belief (or both), "remains a cause for tension" within the community.[26][27] Reformers have criticised the orthodox refusal to accept religious converts as one reason for the communities' declining population.[28]

Predestination

Zoroastrians have been criticized by Muslim authors for their rejection of predestination.[29][30] This follows a famous hadith of Muhammad in which he negatively associates the Qadariyah Islamic sect with the Magians.[31][32]

Patriarchy

Zoroastrianism has been criticized for the perception that it promotes a patriarchal system, expressed through such avenues as an all-male priesthood and its historical allowance of polygamy—practiced by Zoroaster himself.[33][34][35]

References

  1. ISBN 9788170999621
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  14. ^ Dhalla, Maneckji Nusservanji (1914). Zoroastrian Theology: From the Earliest Times to the Present Day. p. 337.
  15. ISBN 9780773564381
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  16. ISBN 9780857719713
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  17. ISBN 9780773564381
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  19. ISBN 9789004131316
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  25. ISBN 9781134691159
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  26. ISBN 9780857719713
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  27. ^ Ariane Sherine (2013). "Zoroastrianism needs to adapt its archaic laws – or die". Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved 22 June 2015.
  28. ^ Laurie Goodstein (2006). "Zoroastrians Keep the Faith, and Keep Dwindling". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 July 2015.
  29. ISBN 9783111662381
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  30. ISBN 9781586488130
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  31. ISBN 9781851681471
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  32. ISBN 9789004106789
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  33. ISBN 9780810868588
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  34. ISBN 9780567088666
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  35. ISBN 9780773511446
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