1. Week 6
Axial Age Religions

2. Axial Age Ancient Israel Ancient Greece Zoroastrian Persia
Imperial China
Hindu India

3. Axial Age Offshoots Christianity Manichaeism
Buddhism, Jainism & Sikhism
Islam

4. Sometimes referred to as
Revealed religions
Monotheistic religions
Textual religions
But misnomers.

5. Pre Axial Age Gods and humans distinct but similar
Divine and human world similar; close
Morality: obligation to one’s group
Religion=ethnic religion
Or, state religion
Leader is descendant of gods.
Afterlife not clearly defined

6. Axial Age Intellectual elites Moral & Political order separate.
Pre-axial age culture become peripheral
General intolerance– official orthodoxy.

7. Transcendental vision
There is a world history
Curiosity about other people
Morality general; applicable to all
Possible to missionize.

8. Tension How to bridge gap between mundane and divine realms?
Concept of salvation
Escatology.

9. Zoroastrianism Probably among oldest living religions Today
11,000 Zoroastrians in Iran
200,000 Parsees
Religion of Persian Empire
<600 B.C.E; but probably older

10. Zoroastrianism Gathas= Hymns Written by Zoroaster
Disparages earlier religion.
Similar to Vedic religion
Daevas
Intar- god of war
Asha- god of truth and justice
Uruwana- sky god
Mithra- god of cattle light.

11. Zoroaster Demons tried to kill him as infant
Became a priest of traditional religion
Three wives, six children

12. Zoroaster Vision of the angel Vohu Mana Preached 10 years
One god, Ahura Mazda
Zoroaster his prophet
Preached 10 years
Converted Bactrian King Vishtaspa
Other Persian Speakers joined
Died at hands of Turanian invaders

13. Zoroastrianism One god Ahura Mazda, creator
Nature gods, Daevas, are false.
Revealed through six “Modes”
Amesha Spenta “holy immortals”
Yazata “Adorable Ones”
Like Angels

14. Zoroastrianism Two spirits emanate from Ahura Mazda
Beneficent spirit
Angra Manyu– Evil Spirit.
Humans have free will
Choose good or evil
Responsible for their conduct.

15. Escatology Soul stays in body three days Then soul starts journey
Mithra judges soul; balanced on scale
May go to paradise
Or Hell, a place of torture.
At end of time, souls in Hell purified.

16. Values Morality and ethics Justice, Truthfulness and compassion.
Elements are sacred
Air
Fire
Earth
Water.

17. Worship Sacred fire Offer sandalwood & keep it pure.
Dead body polluting to elements
Exposure in Dakhma
Vultures carry it off
Or, place it in lead lined casket.