Zoroastrianism is one of the oldest of the world religions. There are perhaps 200,000 adherents throughout the world with most residing in Iran and India. It can best be described as monotheistic with its chief deity, Ahura Mazda. The sacred text is the Avesta, compiled over centuries by many authors. Some commentators state that Zoroastrianism lay the ground work for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
While one may think of Zoroastrians as fire worshipers, the main reason for that expression is that they worship toward a source of light, often a fire.
Coming into existence very early, the religion did not rise to prominence until the fifth century BC. With the rise of Islam in the seventh century AD, the number of Zoroastrians began to decline.
The system emphasizes the importance of right behavior.
Conversion to the faith is generally impossible, and therefore the religion is hereditary.
While Iran, of course, is mainly Muslim, some facets of Zoroastrianism remain in the culture.
The religion is primarily of historical importance, and it has little political influence.
