MIKE MAZZALONGO 3 Christianity vs Zoroastrianism and Islam

MIKE MAZZALONGO 3 Christianity vs. Zoroastrianism and Islam

3 Main Groups • Near Eastern: Zoroastrianism / Judaism / Christianity / Islam • Eastern: Hinduism / Sikhism / Jainism • Far Eastern: Confucianism / Buddhism / Shinto / Taoism

Zoroastrianism 1. Founder – Zoroaster (660 -583 BC) – Camel herder – Received special visions

Zoroastrianism 2. Origins – King Vishtaspa (First convert)

Zoroastrianism 3. Concept of Deity – Ahura Mazda – God – Angra Mainyu – Evil Spirit

Zoroastrianism 4. Concept of Man – Mazda created man – Keep soul

Zoroastrianism 5. Salvation – Good works = righteousness

Zoroastrianism 6. Cultus – Purification of fire – Towers of silence

Zoroastrianism 7. Scriptures – Four books: • • Avesta Gathas Vendidad Yasna – Knowledge – Psalms – History/theology – Worship

Zoroastrianism 8. Geography – Persia (Iran) – Afghanistan – India

Zoroastrianism 9. Misc. – Saoshyant – Bridge of Separation

Islam: Introduction • Islam – Religion • Muslim – Arabic term = believer • Moslem – English term = believer • Mohammed – Founder • Mohammedanism – Alternate name

Islam 1. Founder – Mohammed (570 -632 AD) – Kandiga (Khadijah) – Fatima

Islam 2. Origins – 622 AD – Kaaba

Islam History • Caliphs – 632 -611 • Umayyads – 661 -750 • Abbasids – 750 -1258 • Mongols – 1258 -1299 • Ottoman – 1299 -1924

Modern Islam (1900 -Present) • Sunnites • Bahai • Shiites • Black Muslim • Sufis • Islam Nation

Islam 3. Concept of Deity – Allah = God – Kismet

Islam 4. Mankind – Allah created man and woman – Submission of man

Islam 5. Salvation – Five pillars of faith: • Confession, Alms, Prayer, Fasting, Pilgrimage (Hajj) – Holy War

Islam 6. Cultus – No weekly ritual observances or services – Mosques

Islam 7. Scriptures – Koran - Qur’an – 114 suras (chapters)

Islam 8. Geography – Middle East – Africa – Worldwide

Islam 9. Misc. – Angels and demons – Very little criticism of Koran

Hinduism