“The prodigal returns”
I refer to "The prodigal returns” by Armin Dutia Motashaw (Readers’ Forum, Parsiana, April 7, 2015) in response to my letter of February 21, 2015. She has indicated that my views are favorable to interfaith marriages. Looking at the scenario today, Motashaw’s views seem to be prehistoric and not at all in sync with what is actually happening all over the world not only with regard to marriages but about the Zoroastrian way of life.
No matter which community one is born into, all believers accept there is only one God. No matter which God we worship, the basic teachings are to lead a life full of good thoughts, good words and good deeds; these are expressed in different languages using a variety of words.
Believing in a religion is a wonderful thing and one must do so as it brings a sense of belonging and discipline. But, without scientific proof, the fact remains that we are born as a result of conception as human beings. There is no choice of family or country or religion. At an age when one is very young and cannot talk or think for oneself, it is the parents and grandparents who "condition” the mind of the child with all good intentions. This includes lessons in hygiene, behavior and religious thought. Unfortunately, the element of fear creeps in when these lessons are being imparted, lessons that we live with for the rest of our lives.
Times, however, have changed. People are mixing with persons of other communities and emigrating to live abroad among people of other religions, becoming aware of different practices and traditions. Being free modern thinkers, people have started to question our established norms. How does it matter if one marries someone from another community? Both partners are adults and God fearing but believe in different idols, sets of prayers and traditions and rites.
Our manner of talking, writing and thinking is worse than that of any other religion. We do not allow conversion though the scriptures do not forbid it; we ban "outsiders” from our temples whereas all others welcome us; we stop even a wife and children from seeing the face of a loved one after death if that person is not born of a Zoroastrian father. How cruel and unacceptable are these practices and thoughts! We continue to seek vultures that are non-existent. We do not allow prayers for those who are cremated or buried. Who has formulated all these rules and why are we, like ignorant slaves, bowing down to all this nonsense?
In essence, we are Zoroastrians and the set of teachings applicable to Zoroastrians should be universally uniform. This word "Parsi” is used only in India as also the word "Irani.” It is high time, now that we are in the 21st century, to open our minds to reality.
We ridicule the belief of Islam that jehadis have several virgins waiting for them. Why then do we believe that we won’t be able to walk across the Chinwad bridge? Has anyone seen it and come back to report on it?
Motashaw is free to think what she chooses but she should extend the same courtesy to others who wish to see and accept the realities of today.
JAMSHED IRANI
iranjams@yahoo.in
It is indeed sad n disheartening to read this repercussion. If We Parsis have decided to perish, who else but Ahura can help us ! ! if we have decided to destroy our own self ( A RELIGIOUS SUICIDE ), our own identity as Parsis n our Parsipanu; what can anyone else do or how can anyone help us? We can respect other religions, as most of us do n yet maintain our own identity. If we want Parsis to survive WE WILL HAVE TO MARRY EARLY, WITHIN THE COMMUNITY N HAVE CHILDREN 3 OR 4.I TOTALLY AGREE WITH Mr. IRANI, WHEN HE SAYS PARENTS N GRAND PARENTS ARE RESPONSIBLE; IT IS IN OUR HAND TO INCULCATE LOVE, RESPECT N FAITH FOR OUR RELIGION, INTO OUR CHILDREN. If we fail to instill this, we are gone."Bhelpuri" means dilution of our population n our own destruction.IT IS IN OUR OWN HANDS TO DO OR DIE. DO WE WISH TO SURVIVE OR PERISH ? Any one can become a Zarthosti, without fighting for rights. It is the Parsis who need to be SAVED. We must decide JIYO PARSI OR MERO PARSI. Armin Dutia Motashaw
Mr. Irani's long winded and out of context response makes little sense. Yes, Motashaw's views may be "prehistoric" but these prehistoric views have historically allowed our ethno-religious community to survive. It may not be in synch with what is actually happening all over the world, but does that make Motashaw's views invalid? It matters when a person from a minority ethno-religious community marries out as it results in ethnic genocide and it is happening within our community today. "Free modern thinkers" and modern practices have reduced our numbers to 60,000 in 50 years or so in India. Yes, we prevent "outsiders" from taking part in our funeral ceremonies because death is considered evil and "outsiders" do not wear the sudreh kusti which protects from evil, therefore they are barred. This is not done out of cruelty! The Govt. Of India has launched the Jiyo Parsi project because of the “realities” of today! Zaver Shroff-Patel, DVM sapatel1@sbcglobal.net California,USA