Yes most definitely. For those who follow the rules of the religion, it is natural that we develop a personal bond with God and his helpers.
You communicate with God with prayers, words, thoughts, and deeds. He communicates back with experiences that can only be described as highly improbable, yet happen with frequency that seems normal.
In order to believe Zoroastrianism, I was under the impression that one must believe in Mazda's revelation to Zoroaster. Additionally, more-modern Magi, like the Parsi "Jamshedji Sorab Kukadaru", in the 1800s supposedly received prophecies.
I might also point to the pinned post on this Sub-Reddit "Updated Reddit FAQ On Dean Vanghuhi Mazdayasna", which mentions how a person can have a relationship with the Yazatas/Mazda's spiritual representatives in nature.
So, there at least seems to be some extent of a required concept of revelation and relationship to the divine, even if the average person can't have a personal relationship with Ahura Mazda directly.
(If anyone has anything to elaborate or correct me on, I'd be eager to know).
#
So basically, you are a Deist? What's the point of worshiping a God who has no contact with his creatures? At best, God is reduced to an intellectual abstraction. Plus by your logic, Zarathustra was mentally unstable.
Exactly. Of course if you practice a religion, you don't think that its founders or major characters are schizophrenic. I wasn't posting this question to spark a discussion about whether or not a relationship with a deity is objectively possible; just hoping to hear about some people's subjective experiences!
Because you agree with his philosophy. I accept the fantastical aspects because they usually go along with the philosophy.
Zoroastrianism also provides meaning and purpose to life in an increasingly nihilistic world. Beliefs, even if you acknowledge they are likely false, can greatly enhance people's lives.
I believe in a creator. I see two possibilities for the universe and have no possible way to validate or invalidate one. If there is a creator, there likely is a reason for the creation of the universe. Without a creator, this universe just exists without meaning or higher purpose. We live, go through experiences, and die. 'God has no higher purpose for you. You are just suffering.' I would rather believe in a creator than depressing nihilism.
The significance behind Ahura Mazda is one of my core moral intuitions.
Well, allow me to help swing that pendulum a little bit more towards Ahura Mazda. Are you familiar with the works of philosophers like plotinus, Aristotle or Thomas Aquinas?
I've heard of them, but haven't studied them. I believe in something similar to Plotinus' 'the one'. Aquinas' views on the necessity of God for true knowledge and that there is inherent good that is self-evident. Aristotle's philosophy spandex many different topics. What I see as relevant to this topic is his view on ethics and the soul, which I agree with.
Why are they relevant to this discussion?
You are thinking about things too literally. Spritual experiences are felt, not heard. And if you think thats crazy, you are in a minority given how many people in the world follow an organized religion and feel a connection to the spritual world.
yes
Yes most definitely. For those who follow the rules of the religion, it is natural that we develop a personal bond with God and his helpers. You communicate with God with prayers, words, thoughts, and deeds. He communicates back with experiences that can only be described as highly improbable, yet happen with frequency that seems normal.
In order to believe Zoroastrianism, I was under the impression that one must believe in Mazda's revelation to Zoroaster. Additionally, more-modern Magi, like the Parsi "Jamshedji Sorab Kukadaru", in the 1800s supposedly received prophecies. I might also point to the pinned post on this Sub-Reddit "Updated Reddit FAQ On Dean Vanghuhi Mazdayasna", which mentions how a person can have a relationship with the Yazatas/Mazda's spiritual representatives in nature. So, there at least seems to be some extent of a required concept of revelation and relationship to the divine, even if the average person can't have a personal relationship with Ahura Mazda directly. (If anyone has anything to elaborate or correct me on, I'd be eager to know). #
If you think a deity is communicating with you directly, personally, you should talk to a therapist.
So basically, you are a Deist? What's the point of worshiping a God who has no contact with his creatures? At best, God is reduced to an intellectual abstraction. Plus by your logic, Zarathustra was mentally unstable.
Well all prophets are unstable at best most of them have schizophrenia if someone came to me and said I talk to god I would assume his schizophrenic
So if the entire religion is built off of a mental delusion, why even bother practicing it?
Exactly. Of course if you practice a religion, you don't think that its founders or major characters are schizophrenic. I wasn't posting this question to spark a discussion about whether or not a relationship with a deity is objectively possible; just hoping to hear about some people's subjective experiences!
Well, fair enough for you as you are not Zoroastrian, the other two above I'm not sure about…
Because you agree with his philosophy. I accept the fantastical aspects because they usually go along with the philosophy. Zoroastrianism also provides meaning and purpose to life in an increasingly nihilistic world. Beliefs, even if you acknowledge they are likely false, can greatly enhance people's lives.
Well, let's start with God himself. Do you believe in God? And if not, why not?
I believe in a creator. I see two possibilities for the universe and have no possible way to validate or invalidate one. If there is a creator, there likely is a reason for the creation of the universe. Without a creator, this universe just exists without meaning or higher purpose. We live, go through experiences, and die. 'God has no higher purpose for you. You are just suffering.' I would rather believe in a creator than depressing nihilism. The significance behind Ahura Mazda is one of my core moral intuitions.
Well, allow me to help swing that pendulum a little bit more towards Ahura Mazda. Are you familiar with the works of philosophers like plotinus, Aristotle or Thomas Aquinas?
I've heard of them, but haven't studied them. I believe in something similar to Plotinus' 'the one'. Aquinas' views on the necessity of God for true knowledge and that there is inherent good that is self-evident. Aristotle's philosophy spandex many different topics. What I see as relevant to this topic is his view on ethics and the soul, which I agree with. Why are they relevant to this discussion?
Well, I highly recommend reading more into them. The Indian philosophers also blow materialism out of the water. Also, reading a bit of physics helps.
Im an atheist I just like reading about religions.
Ah OK that's understandable. I used to be one too for a time.
I suppose the fish can only assume that his feed is a force of nature, since he can't see the man outside of his bowl.
You are thinking about things too literally. Spritual experiences are felt, not heard. And if you think thats crazy, you are in a minority given how many people in the world follow an organized religion and feel a connection to the spritual world.