Zoroastrianism was in fact the first monothesitic religion--a form of it, Mithraism, was the prominent religion in the Roman Empire, and Z-ism was the primary religion throughout Europe, before the advent of Christianity--A lot of Z-ism, particularly the rituals and symbolism, have been assimilated

M.Ted:

Not bad; but you left out the fact that people who practise Z-ism also use that flame for healing.

There was a myth that Zoroaster (yes it was a real person) went to a palace begging for a meal, and offered in return to do some healing work, and the monarch just happened to have a sick horse, and the monarch asked Zoroaster to heal his horse. Zoroaster healed the horse, and the horse recovered completely, then the monarch asked him to do more healings. After some time; the monarch converted to Z-ism and made it the official religion.

I only disagree with one statement you made. Neither Zoroasterism or Judaism are the worlds oldest monothestic religion.

Taoism is the oldest recorded monotheistic religion. Taoism goes back at least 500 years. Taoists know of the Tao; but do not acknowledge the Tao as a Creator who in interested in the creation.

The Native Americans generaly are monotheistic (their acknowledgement of the Great Spirit)

Same with the Hawaiians, acknowledges the creator I'O, or E'O (I have seen the name spelled six diffrent ways; but these did not have a recorded language going back thousands of years.

Requirements to join: How one becomes a Zoroastrian is an ongoing controversy. According to the prevailing view, one must be born into the faith- converts are unacceptable. However, due to dwindling numbers of faithful, some believe that converts should be admitted. The survival of the religion may depend on it

Alice: This may be one of the things Zoroasterians have to adhere to in Iran today because Iran is a muslim country; but it was not always so.

I have to admit that my curiosity in this subject is highly personal. My daughter has given her heart to a Zoroastrian. It seems that every time he answers one of my many questions, it leads to more questions.

Diana; If he is an adherent of Zoroasterism; you need not concern yourself. Sufism is also a peaceful religion (I could mot find very much information, and what I found; did not answer my spiritual questions.

ANL - 2B