Today, the world is once again questioning the direction of civilization. Artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to understand human language, mimic human thought, and replace human labor and judgment. While technology has advanced rapidly, the human mind has not necessarily kept pace. The economy has grown, but communities have weakened; information is abundant, yet truth has become harder to find. Wars and conflicts continue around the globe, and hatred and division are spreading across borders. Humanity stands once more before the oldest questions: What is good? What is evil? Why must humans seek justice?
Tracing the roots of these questions leads us to an ancient Persian prophet: Zoroaster, also known as Zarathustra. Today, Zoroastrianism is a minority religion in terms of followers, but it is far from insignificant in the history of human civilization. It is one of the essential spiritual sources for understanding Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and it serves as a crucial starting point for the core concepts of good and evil, heaven and hell, final judgment, and salvation in the history of world religions.
Zoroaster emerged during a time dominated by polytheism, aiming to present a path of ultimate truth for humanity. He introduced Ahura Mazda as the being who creates and maintains order in the universe. Ahura Mazda means 'Lord of Wisdom.' He is the source of goodness and truth, sustaining the order of the cosmos. Zoroaster taught that humans can only live rightly by following the path of truth he presented.
People often refer to Zoroastrianism as the 'religion of fire,' but this is only partially accurate. Zoroastrianism does not worship fire itself; rather, fire symbolizes truth, purity, and divine light. Fire dispels darkness, burns away falsehood, and sacrifices itself to illuminate the world. Zoroastrianism finds the symbol of truth in this very property. Thus, it is more accurate to call Zoroastrianism the religion of light.
One of the most significant features of Zoroastrianism is its direct engagement with the problem of good and evil. Zoroaster understood the world through the opposition of Ahura Mazda, the principle of goodness and truth, and Angra Mainyu, the embodiment of falsehood and destruction. However, he did not see humans as mere puppets of fate. He believed that humans are free beings capable of choosing good or evil and must take responsibility for their choices. In this regard, Zoroastrianism marked a crucial turning point in the history of human religion.
Zoroastrianism presents three principles for living: good thoughts, good words, and good deeds. These are not merely religious precepts but also the most fundamental ethics for maintaining civilization. When thoughts are distorted, words become distorted, and when words are distorted, actions become distorted. Ultimately, society as a whole falls into chaos. This teaching is particularly urgent in the age of AI.
Zoroastrianism later emerged on the grand stage of world history alongside the Persian Empire. Cyrus II, known as Cyrus the Great, is regarded as one of the greatest rulers in human history. He established the Achaemenid Empire, creating the largest empire of the ancient world, and was a monarch who practiced religious tolerance and cultural inclusivity. Even after conquering Babylon, he respected the faith and traditions of the conquered peoples, particularly allowing the Jews, who suffered during the Babylonian exile, to return and rebuild their temple. As a result, the Jewish people remember him not merely as a conqueror but as a liberator. His name is even mentioned in the Old Testament, highlighting his special status. Cyrus the Great exemplifies how the spirit of Zoroastrianism was manifested in politics and governance throughout history.
This event became a decisive moment in the historical intersection of Judaism and Zoroastrianism, creating a significant flow of civilization that would later influence Christianity and Islam. The history of world religions shows that sometimes, a single person's tolerance can bring about greater change than war.
At one time, Zoroastrianism was one of the world's largest religions. However, following the spread of Islam, many followers migrated to India. Today, the Parsi community in India is descended from those followers. Though small in number, this community has made significant contributions to modern India's economic and industrial development.
A notable example is the Tata Group, one of India's largest conglomerates, founded by Jamsetji Tata, who was of Parsi descent. The Tata Group has grown into a symbolic enterprise that has driven India's industrialization, spanning steel, automobiles, aviation, information technology, energy, and hospitality. Even today, members of the Tata family, including Ratan Tata, are held in high regard in Indian society. This illustrates how the Zoroastrian community has contributed significantly to the advancement of modern India through education, industry, and social contributions, rather than merely maintaining their faith.
The influence of Zoroaster extends beyond religion into the realms of philosophy and literature. In the 19th century, German philosopher Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche featured Zarathustra as the protagonist in his seminal work, Thus Spoke Zarathustra. While Nietzsche's Zarathustra is not the historical Zoroaster, the choice to select this ancient Persian prophet as a philosophical symbol is significant. Nietzsche argued that humans must transcend existing value systems to create new ones, and he chose Zoroaster as a symbolic figure to pose such questions. This indicates that Zoroaster has become a monumental symbol in the history of human thought, beyond merely being a religious founder.
Today, the number of Zoroastrians is small. However, their influence cannot be measured by numbers. The concepts of the struggle between good and evil, human free will, final judgment, heaven and hell, salvation, and the Messiah have left deep imprints on the subsequent history of world religions. And that spirit remains alive today. The protagonist of the film 'Bohemian Rhapsody,' Freddie Mercury, was also a member of a Zoroastrian family of Indian descent.
The age of AI offers humanity tremendous capabilities. However, technology does not provide direction. What humans still need is the wisdom to discern what is good and what is evil. Zoroaster taught humanity about good thoughts, good words, and good deeds 3,000 years ago, and that teaching remains relevant today.
Zoroastrianism is often known as the religion of fire, but it is more accurately described as the religion of light. What they worshipped was not fire itself but the light of truth. In an era overflowing with falsehood, hatred, greed, and division, that light becomes even more precious. The small flame that began in ancient Persia continues to pose the same questions to humanity today across 3,000 years.
“What thoughts are you having? What words are you speaking? And what actions are you taking?”
The future of human civilization may well be contained in the answers to those simple questions.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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