Happy Nowruz

[SWCAdmin]

From our friends at the American Iranian Council:


نوروزتان پيروز.عيد شما مبارک
هموطن ایرانی . دوست گرامی
ضمن سلام، سال 1386 را به شما تبریک عرض کرده و آرزو ميکنم
که سال جدید منشاء تحولات مثبت و مهمی در زندگی ما ایرانيان وجهانيان باشد.
هوشنگ اميراحمدی


www.amirahmadi.com


NOWRUZ GREETINGS
Dear Friends, Let me take this opportunity to share with you the joy of celebrating the Iranian New Year, Nowruz, and wish you the best in 1386! The New Year begins March 21, 2007

Hooshang Amirahmadi

Nowruz, new day or New Year as the Iranians call it, is a celebration of spring Equinox. It has been celebrated by all the major cultures of ancient Mesopotamia for over 3 millennia. What we have today as Nowruz with its uniquely Iranian characteristics has been celebrated for at least 3000 years and is deeply rooted in the traditions of Zoroastrian belief system, the pre-Islamic religion of the Iranian people.

[slapout9]

Ok, I give up. Somebody explain Zoroastrian to me? First we had Shia Hillbilly's and now we have Zoro in Iran. What is next Redneck Sunnis!

[Sarajevo071]

Ok, I give up. Somebody explain Zoroastrian to me? First we had Shia Hillbilly's and now we have Zoro in Iran. What is next Redneck Sunnis!

!!

Zoroastrians are not big in Iran anymore. They used to. It's to complicated for me to explain now (getting late) but I can give you some info tomorrow if you wish.

[selil]

"Zoroastrianism" and Zarathustra was basically a prophet that pre-dates judeaism, and is one of the first monotheistic religions and likely a precursor for judeaism and vedic beliefs. In a nut shell it's the root.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrian

[Sarajevo071]

Zoroastrian faith and philosophy

At present time there are about 200/000 Zoroastrians throughout the world. Most of the worlds Zoroastrians, who are about 100/000, are living in India and they are called Parsis. Due to the Arabs' invasion of Iran, which was cruel (_See Koran Sura 9 “Al Tauba “ Ayeh 5 and 29 and 123 ) , most Parsis left their own country, and emigrated to India in the ninth century. Even, at present time, if Iranians are asked about Zoroastrians identity, most of them will answer, those people are fire worshipers and like Jews and other pagans and Christians are unclean people ( See Koran Sura 9 Ayeh 28 ).

In western countries also, the people are not quite familiar with Zoroastrian philosophy. When they are heard of Zarathustra, they are reminded of “Thus Spoke Zarathustra,” written by celebrated German philosopher, Nietzsche. Therefore, it can be rightly said that Zoroastrian philosophy, which was the main religious belief system of ancient Iranians and for about several hundred years was the basis of the Iranian culture and their life style, now is almost forgotten. Therefore, our purpose is to fathom this aged Zoroastrian culture, in order to recognize the truth of such a rich philosophical faith, which has been the foundation of the ancient Iranian civilization, and thus try to repudiate the incorrect pre-judgements against it.

Is Zoroastrian Monotheism Philosophy or Religion in History?
…

More info here. Real Iranian zoroastrian:

http://www.zoroaster.net/indexe.htm

[Tom Odom]

The 3rd people of the "book" meaning the Qur'an. Much symbology is attached to fire as part of this belief system.

The symbol of fire: The energy of the creator is represented in Zoroastrianism by fire and the sun which are both enduring, radiant, pure and life sustaining. Zoroastrians usually pray in front of some form of fire (or any source of light). (It is important to note that fire is not worshipped by Zoroastrians, but is used simply as symbol and a point of focus, much like the crucifix in Christianity. For details, see Fire temple)

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zoroastrianism

For Slapout:

"…I profess myself a devotee of Mazda, a follower of Zarathustra."

has nothing to do with RX-7s or RX-8s

Best

Tom