“Respecting priests”

In "Respecting priests” (Bawa Musings, Parsiana, September 21, 2014) columnist Berjis Desai has brought out some very pertinent points. There are, however two major issues: lack of respect and the poor financial state of priests.
Since respect cannot be demanded but has to be commanded, let our priests put their hands on their hearts and search for what they have done to command respect. Perhaps priests of other communities are respected because they play a far bigger role than merely performing ceremonies. They try to help their community members in times of difficulty. Our priests are not known to play any such role.
Zarathushtra’s religion does not advocate blind faith but shows the "enlightened way of life.” In Navjote Ceremony, Sir Jivanji Modi writes: "A Parsi has to believe that for the salvation of his soul he has to look to nobody else but to himself. Nobody — no priest or no prophet — will intercede for him. For his salvation he has only to look to the purity of his own thoughts, words and actions.” Dr Maneckji N. Dhalla writes in Zoroastrian Theology: "Righteousness rests on the individual’s piety and not on a scrupulous observance of the ceremonials or a practise of elaborate lustrations. Let the Parsi individually, and his community collectively, abide steadfast in the path of righteousness, and they will be practising true Zoroastrianism.” These thoughts define the fundamental core of our religion.
Can we look for similar guidance from our present high priests? They seem to be propagating a religion of rituals and ceremonies. Following this path is religiosity, not religion. Why don’t the priests propagate Zarathushtra’s messages from the Gathas? Should this not be their major duty?
We have failed to get any response from the high priests regarding certain issues dividing the community. Please show us which of our religious scriptures prohibits accepting others into our faith. Which religious scriptures demand that the dead body can be disposed of only by dakhmenashini?
In a small and dwindling community like ours, the demand for performing ceremonies and rituals will become less and less, resulting in only part-time occupation for priests. They have to accept this reality and develop other clergical skills to augment their income.
KERSEE KABRAJI
Poona
kerseekabraji@gmail.com