I was wondering if anyone can relate to the following: I was led to seriously doubt the JW organization and the uniqueness/infallibility of the Bible upon learning that many of the beliefs and doctrines of the Judeo-Christian tradition were predated by a Persian religion by the name of Zoroastrianism. For example, according to many if not most scholars, the concepts of monotheism (one God), Satan, angels, resurrection, baptism, paradise on earth or in heaven, etcetera..., weren't clearly mentioned/emphasized in the Hebrew Scriptures or espoused by the Israelites until after they were exiled in Babylon - circa 6th century B.C. One example I would like to cite, which many a Witness can probably relate to, is that no clear mention of a resurrection/afterlife is made in the Hebrew Scriptures, i.e., we all end up in Sheol (non-existence). In other words, the whole idea of a resurrection and/or afterlife can ultimately be traced to the time when the Jews rubbed shoulders with Zoroastrians in Babylon and consequently ended up absorbing many beliefs which were foreign to, if you will, primitive Judaism. It wasn't until much, much later that the aforementioned ideas became central to the faith of the Jews and by extension, the Christians. Upon learning all of the above, I realized - at least in my mind - that the Bible was nothing more than a book written by men, not God. In my eyes, the Bible became a kind of political manifesto for all the various groups/religions that use it. Hence, if the Bible isn't God inspired, then JW's can't be either.
Zoroastrianism
by estatubatuar 10 Replies latest jw friends
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Yerusalyim
is that no clear mention of a resurrection/afterlife is made in the Hebrew Scriptures, i.e., we all end up in Sheol (non-existence).
My challenge to you here is in relating Sheol to non-existence...this really isn't the Jewish idea as can be seen in 1 Samuel with Saul calling up the spirit of Samuel from Sheol, and in several other locations too. That these two religion affect one another is clear...but I believe many of the ideas you speak of (and allude to) are indeed found in the Hebrew Scriptures before hand. I guess the impossible task is to try and decide which portions of the Torah and Psalms were redacted after the return from Babylonian exile.
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seedy3
Many of the beliefs of the Judeo/Christians hod are yes based in Zorastorian beleifs. But they do not really stop there. Much of the early hebrew beleifs are based in Canaanite and Egyption religions even the name of the Almighty of the hebrews is Canaanite, some of the ideals of law and such, like the 10 commandments are egyption. One of the sections of Psalms in fact are a direct copy from a poem/song that Achanaten (spelling??) wrote and has been found in egyption tombs and writings much older then the hebrew writings. The largest effect that Zoroaster had on the hebrew belief was two items, a single almighty and a savour, as well as a god of evil (devil), prior to that time satan was not really a god of evil, he was more an agent of God to test mankind.
Christians also have many of their beliefs that are based in other early religions as well such as Baccus/Mithras (not to be confused with Mithra) Baal ect.
Seedy
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Yerusalyim
I don't think the case can be made that these beliefs are based on one another, rather, they are shared. There is a difference.
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estatubatuar
Seedy3,
In addition to discovering that the post-exile Jews beliefs were, as it were, tainted by Zoroastrianism, noting that Satan played different roles in the Hebrew Sciptures (a public prosecutor for God) compared to the Greek Scriptures (evil incarnate) accelerated my exiting the troof. This led me to doubt the existence of Satan as a god of evil and Jehovah as a god of love. I thought, well, if Jehovah allowed Satan to do his thing, then Jehovah must be the one at fault because he let it happen, which led me to conclude that man is the one to blame for evil, if there is such a thing. Anyway, this brings back memories of asking people to tell me their demon stories to convince myself that Satan really did exist. Ha ha...all I could think was, either what they're telling me is true or they're out of their minds. The latter is what I ended up concluding. I recall trying to explain all of this to the elders. It was like talking to a brick wall. They were very nice about the whole thing but can you imagine trying to explain these doubts to a mailman, a steel worker, a dry cleaning shop keeper, and a painter? They must of thought, "Hmmm...this guy really needs to get laid." Actually, that's still the case.
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stillajwexelder
Yes I am currently looking for a good book on Zoroastrianism -- if I find one and enjoy it I will let you all know
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concerned mama
still a jwexelder, I know they have a website. I looked it up because my next door neighbours are Zoroastrianism ( and very nice people). Their daughters had a ceremony this past year that involved lots of flowers and garlands, and they had to fly 2 priests in as there aren't any that live here.
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Yerusalyim
Esta,
All those things on the link you provided have been said before, and they are again restated, but restating them doesn't make them true.
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Dansk
Esta,
You're on the right track. When the Jews were taken captive to what is now modern Iran they interpolated Persian (Zoroastrian) beliefs in with their own. When these Jews returned to Israel they brought Zoroastrian beliefs back with them. See this site: http://www.sivanandadlshq.org/religions/zoroastrianism.htm
Ian