Spiritual truth

My interest in Zoroastrianism began years ago when reading a magazine that dealt with various Indo-European religions and culture. There was an article in this magazine written by a Parsi, along with an excerpt of a semi-fictional novel he had written. Several years later, in a similar magazine, I read another article that I believe was written by the same person.

Although I have found certain aspects of orthodox Christian mysticism inspiring, Christianity is unworkable to me for numerous reasons, one of which is that I view it as an alien religion. The concepts and theology that I do see any value in within Christianity are derived from various Indo-European, non-Hebrew sources. Therefore, in order to form my own spiritual worldview, I’ve had to read and study material having to do with traditional Indo-European spiritual concepts. The problem with this is that when one picks and chooses various religious ideas, outside of an established religion, his worldview can become vague and he may end up believing in nothing at all.

There is not sufficient information regarding the pre-Christian religions of Europe to revive any kind of workable theology, and I do not believe the majority of "neo-pagans” who try to do so have much understanding of true spiritual enlightenment.

Of the three surviving Indo-European religions (Vedanta/Hinduism, Buddhism and Zoroastrianism) I am only drawn to the ethical doctrine of Zoroastrianism as the ideas, imagery and concepts are consistent with my own. I have found a degree of spiritual truth in several established religions; however, they seem to be too flawed or not in harmony with my perception of being in relationship with God. My spiritual worldview began to take shape through the study of Christian mysticism and Indo-European religious concepts. Zoroastrianism is the only religion which seems to correctly reflect my own conceptions, formed through years of reading material from various religious sources.

I respect that Zoroastrianism is a religion in which someone is born into. To universalize the religion in the way that Christianity is would not only threaten the ethnic identity of Zoroastrians, but could also cause sectarian divisions in which the true teachings are distorted or used to promote certain agendas. I do, however, believe the study of Zoroastrianism and following the ethical doctrines would advance me on my path.