“Religion, not race”

Meheryar Rivetna busted quite a few myths in his article "Religion, not race” (Parsiana, June 21-July 6, 2022). Zarathushtra’s religion is indeed universal and his message is for all mankind. The injunctions against conversion and many of the rigid customs of the religion were introduced during the Sasanian period and have been perpetuated by the orthodox elements to this date. They do not belong to the faith as preached by Zarathushtra and practiced for centuries.
What is heartening is that many youngsters today reject such rigid interpretation of our religion and have begun to recognize that the Prophet’s message is more important than empty rituals. Many Zoroastrians today recognize that Zoroastrianism is a progressive, universal religion and are open to welcoming non-Parsi spouses and their children to the fold. Indeed, many are even welcoming of any person who believes in Zarathushtra’s message and would like to join the faith. In that sense, they are the real "traditionalists,” as they want to revert to the practice of the faith as taught by the Prophet, while rejecting the corruptions that have crept in over time.
As Rivetna says, "The religion will survive if Zarathushtra’s teachings are not corrupted with irrational, irreligious ideas that contravene his principles.” For my part, I have recently purchased his book Zarathushtra: The Man and the Message, and hope to start reading it soon. I am sure it will be a riveting read, just as this article has been.
POURUCHISTI MEHERHOMJI
Thana, Maharashtra
pourushah@gmail.com