“Keeping the faith”
On reading the letter "Keeping the faith” by Phiroze B. Javeri (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, March 7, 2015) I fail to understand what we are really seeking. A healthy Parsi community or just frivolous arguments that further divide us? Who can stop a person from following any religion? One can follow all the tenets and be a Zoroastrian without any problem. It is only when we fight for rights that the trouble starts. People who truly wish to follow Zarathushtra should do so without seeking rights such as entering agiaries or the perks that are available to Parsis. One can be a Zoroastrian without wanting to be a Parsi.
It has become a fashion to discuss, argue and fight over just about anything. A good Zoroastrian can follow everything that is in the Gathas without proclaiming that he/she is a Parsi. ARMIN DUTIA MOTASHAW
Ahmedabad
armindutiamotashaw@gmail.com
The editors reply:
To the best of our knowledge, in all other religions converts are accorded the same rights as those born into the faith.
but when there is no concept of conversion; where lies the question ! anyone who believes in Zarthushtra can just pray at home. Why does he/she have to fight for rights ? you can only be born a Parsi, but anyone who loves Zarthushtra can privately practice the religion. There is no stopping him/her.
I agree with Armin Motashaw's comments.I disagree with the editors remarks as these remarks are out of context. The Parsi-Zoroastrian community does not welcome converts because it is an ETHNO-RELIGIOUS community in India and not just a religious community. Preserving our ethnicity is as important as preserving our religion. BOTH go hand in hand. One does not supersede the other.The community has a right and privilege to maintain this tradition. The endless discussion of according the same rights to "converts" in India which the Parsi-Zoroastrian community enjoys do not apply and the point is moot. Zaver Shroff,DVM Sunnyvale,CA USA