Pre-Islamic Persian religion founded by
Zoroaster, and still practised by the Parsees
in India. The Zendavesta are the sacred
scriptures of the faith. The theology is
dualistic, Ahura Mazda or Ormuzd (the good
God) being in conflict with Ahriman (the evil
God), but the former is assured of eventual
victory. The return of Zoroaster will presage
the resurrection of the dead and the creation
of a paradise on Earth by Ahura Mazda. The
free choice of good or evil renders believers
responsible for their fate after death in
heaven or hell. Procreation and life are
valued, but death defiles - hence the custom
of exposing corpses to be devoured by
vultures. Worship is at altars on which the
sacred fire burns.