A more liberal approach
Yet religion today is considered the biggest obstacle in the path of human development. It has caused more quarrels than it can solve. Most of the heinous crimes committed have been in the name of religion.
Zoroaster, the pioneer prophet, has encapsulated all ethics, wisdom, knowledge, virtues and morality into three maxims: humata, hukhata, hvrashta (good thoughts, good words, good deeds), as the essence of Zoroastrianism. By following these three axioms we can get salvation which is the ultimate aim of our existence.
Mankind has been endowed with a bright mind to discern between what is good and what is bad and been given freedom of choice.
Traditionally, religious leadership being hereditary, it does not require any merit other than inheritance resulting in lack of dynamic leadership to give true guidance to the community. We are made to believe certain unreasonable and illogical fables handed down to us by our forefathers! They did not have any clue on the concept of donating organs to save life, but we are told that according to the scriptures we should abstain from donating any organ, and if we do so we shall be born without that organ in our next life! If redressing the suffering of a fellowman is a sin then all the doctors in the medical profession are committing sin! This is utter nonsense and still many among us believe in it!
We are concerned about the decline in numbers, but we should be more concerned about the decline in values among the community. We should be more tolerant and accept the children of intermarried Parsi girls into our religion. Religion is dying because of our arrogance in believing that we are exclusive and superior to others.
What can be the future of a community which is more focussed on the matter of disposal of dead bodies than planning for the progress of the future generation? We need to have a positive attitude and a firm belief that the religion founded by the visionary Zoroaster will weather all storms and survive eternally.
Some religious minded orthodox groups consider reformists as the enemies of religion. But the founder of our religion, Zoroaster, was the greatest reformist who abolished the orthodox Persian form of worship which included animal sacrifices and offerings to the daevas. He showed the path of freedom from blind obedience to unmeaning injunctions, and how to focus on single minded chastity of devotion. In those dark days of wild exaggeration and frenzied convulsion of ceremonies he proclaimed that religion has its truth in moral significance and not in the external practice of imaginary values.
In Europe, the USA and other countries where the Parsi Zoroastrians have migrated from India, they follow the same religion, but with a more liberal approach. There is peace and harmony among the community who live there like an extended family.
Is it not time for our enlightened community to stop mixing ethnicity with religion and shed its blinkers as to who can or cannot practice Zoroastrianism?
PIROJA HOMI JOKHI
piroja.jokhi@yahoo.com
Kudos Ma'am, Super reading. Important points as take home for all: 1. be more concerned about the decline in values among the community, 2. be more tolerant and accept the children of all intermarried Parsi men and women who believe that their children should be Zarthostis, 3. Our arrogance in believing that we are exclusive and superior to others [on the contrary the community education and values stand a lot low compared to most of the fellow Indians], 4. religious minded orthodox groups consider reformists as the enemies of religion [on the contrary such fakes and freaks have caused more than substantial damage to the community and innocent minds]. The Mumbai Parsis are so dependent for community housing and doles that they have lost their gut to stand up to oppose the devils who hold those reigns. Zarthostis must please start emphasizing on Spiritual and Intellectual development. Become noble persons, reclaim the lost glories do not live on the past laurels!!!