ORIGIN OF RELIGIONS

The history of the world is shaped by the forces of good and evil, truth and untruth, light and darkness. The forces of Christ the Savior and the forces of the Serpent who is the devil. Man, who was created with freedom, dignity, worth and purpose lost all these by succumbing to the powers of darkness. When people increased on the face of the earth, they migrated to different places. To fulfill their spiritual needs, they had to depend either on God or on evil spirits. Most of the people groups made the wrong moral choice and bound themselves to certain spirits. They developed a commitment to those spirits in return for some help from the spirits. Ceremonies were developed by the people groups to celebrate the covenant made between them and the spirits. These ceremonies were used to commemorate, reenact and renew the covenant from time to time. Through the celebration of the ceremonies and rituals the covenantal pacts were effectually perpetuated from generation to generation. Thus, all the members of the concerned people groups were bound to certain spirits.

ZOROASTRIANISM'S HISTORIC CONNECTION WITH BIBLE

It is the religion of Parsis whose original home was Persia. The original home of the religion is Babylonia (modern Iraq and Iran) Zoroaster's (660-583 BC) was the first attempt at a world religion which should be voluntarily adopted. Followers believe that it is superior to all other religions and revere him as the most adorable personage in history. According to story he was born to a 15-year-old unmarried girl. At 30 he was called to the presence of Ahura Mazda to be purified and appointed for the work of a prophet o account of his responsiveness and fitness. He had a vision on the banks of Daitya river when a large figure appeared to him. It identified itself as Vohu Mana (good thought). the figure took him to the presence of Ahura Mazda who instructed him on the true religion. During the next 10 years he had 7 further conferences with Ahura Mazda. Hence, he was convinced of his vocation by the deity. In 10 years, he could make only one convert. But the conversion of king Vistaspa of Persia led to the vigorous promulgation of the faith. A policy of violence or holy wars can be found in the scriptures. It followed militaristic nationalism and often invoked divine aid to fight powerful unbeliever foes. Persia was reanimated by the new religion. It destroyed magic and idol worship and established its own belief in one god, hell and heaven. They conquered Babylonia (529 BC) and developed the great empire of Darius. They had struggle with Greece and Greek writers were impressed by the religion. But during 330 BC - 226 AD it was subjugated by foreign rulers. It had tendency to sun worship and polytheism. During 226 - 657 Persia reestablished its independence. But later it was evicted from Persia by Arabs who were electrified by Islam. (Maurice Rawlings Life-Wish: Reincarnation -Reality or Hoax. Nashville, Washington, 1981 pp 50-63).

INFLUENCE UPON BIBLE?

Some say that it had profound impact in the shaping of the doctrines of Judaism, Christianity and Islam. They say it made contributions to Judaism in 538 BC when Persians under Cyrus captured Babylonia and set free the Jews exiled in that land; and in 330 BC when Persian empire was destroyed by Alexander, the Jews were directly under the suzerainty of the Zoroastrians. From them Jews learnt to believe in Ahriman (Satan)? in the judgement day for each individual and also hell and heaven.

The kings of Persia mentioned in TO were Zoroastrians. The first persons who came to meet baby Jesus are supposed to be of priests of Zoroastrianism. Zoroastrians are often commended in the Bible. King Cyrus is addressed by Jehovah as 'His Messiah'(Isa 45:1); 'My shepherd'(Isa 44:28). Some argue that throughout TO until Isaiah of exile, the ultimate source of everything including evil is represented as Jehovah. But the post exilic document (1Chro 21:1) substitutes 'Satan' for Jehovah in the post-exilic account. (2 Sam 23:1). Thus, they argue that Satan is not an original feature of Bible but introduced from Zoroastrianism. Other features adopted include ideas of elaborate angelology and demonology, of a great savior or deliverer to come, of a final resurrection and divine judgement, and of future life. The word paradise is of Persian origin. (Lewis Browne This Believing World New York Macmillan company 1926. pp 215-218).

But the argument regarding the influence of the religion on Bible is unacceptable. Christianity is not a man-made religion. Since it is the unique revelation of God, no other belief system can influence it. Their argument begins with the inherent assumption that it was written later than traditional evidence shows. Hence many books like Pentateuch, Job and Isaiah are wrongly dated after Exile (536 BC) instead of as early as 1300 BC. Hence when these concepts appear in the Bible, they wrongly assume that the concepts derive from other religions. But if one accepts the correct traditional dating then it is the Bible which influenced Zoroastrianism when the Jews were in Exile under the Persian rule. Moreover, the NT doctrines of resurrection, judgement and Messiah are either present in the TO written before Zoroaster or appeared in Zoroastrianism later than Zoroaster during Christ and His disciples. Thus, it is Zoroastrianism which was influenced by Bible.

Moreover, there is much in Zoroastrianism which are incompatible with Christianity. Ahura Mazda is only equal to Agra Manyu in strength. But in Bible God is the only all-powerful being. Satan is only a created being. Satan is not the opposite of God for he is neither all powerful not eternal (Isa 43:10; Eze 28:15). Zoroastrianism believes that a person earns favor with God by good works. There is no solution to the sin problem of mankind. But Biblically no one man can by himself make it to heaven. (Rom 3:10; 3:23; 6:23; Eph 2:8-9; Titus 3:5). Moreover, the practice of the religion involves occultic and superstitious. Practice of drinking Homa, a hallucinogenic, is a central rite in the Zoroastrian worship. Worship in it is legalistic and impersonal. In Christianity God is personal and occult is condemned (Deut 18:10-12; Ps 100). Thus, Zoroastrianism and Christianity are contradictory to each other. (Richard Cavendish The Great Religions NY Arco Publishing Co. 1980. pp 80-96).

THEOLOGY OF ZOROASTRIANISM

The supreme deity of the religion was Ahura Mazda. His main characteristics are creator, all seeing, all-knowing, most mighty, friendly, father of justice or right, father of good mind, beneficent and bountiful. The fundamental feature of the teaching

of the religion was the condemnation of evil and impurity in the world. Angra Manyu was the supreme hostile spirit, abbreviated into Ahriman. Thus, the religion recognizes two inherently incompatible and antagonistic spirits. The two powers are coequal from the beginning and will battle each other until the end. Their corresponding opposites are: god of wisdom or light - prince of darkness; right, justice- falsehood; good mind - evil mind; power - cowardice; love - false pretense; health - misery; immortality - annihilation. It recognizes the cosmological dualism of a good God and a wicked Devil. There were also a number of other accompanying good and bad spirits. The general name for the evil spirits is 'Daeva' which became 'Diu' from which the English word devil originated. FUTURE JUDGEMENT: It believes in the ultimate triumph of moral goodness over moral evil in the world. It expected punishment for the wicked and reward for the righteous. It advocated bodily resurrection of the dead. Hell is described as a place of punishment for the wicked. A future savior is expected. Before of the end of the world 3 supernatural saviors from the descent of Zoroaster, just as he was born, of virgin mothers. At the end there will be apocalyptic purifying and ceremonial consummation. It speaks about future purification by a molten metal. It gives a detailed picture of events after the resurrection of the dead, the final judgement, the separation of the righteous from the wicked and the sending of the two groups into heaven and hell respectively. WORSHIP: Maintenance of an undying sacred fire is its feature. Its worship consists of repeating prayers. ETHICS: Almsgiving is encouraged. Good treatment is prescribed towards good people and bad treatment to bad people. Violence against adversaries are explicitly prescribed. The most prized virtue is purity. (Robert E Hume World’s Living Religions NY C Scribner’s' Sons 1959 pp 200-220)

SCRIPTURES

The scripture of the religion is known as AVESTA which means knowledge. It contains hymns, prayers and ritual instruction. It is parallel to Vedas of Hinduism. It has 3 major sections:  YASNA meaning worship is the most important section. In addition, there are YASHTS and VENDIDAD. Priests are called MAGI and use Magic in their communion with God.

ELEMENTS OF STRENGTH: It has personal, ethical and helpful deity, early universal vision for religion, missionary zeal, appreciation of antagonism between good and evil, emphasis on personal choice and responsibility and final triumph of moral goodness. WEAKNESS: The founder is morally vindictive and militaristic. No great subsequent prophet. It has polytheistic tendency and loss of original missionary world outlook; stereotyped legalistic ceremonialism; militarism; failure to perceive any value in suffering; satisfaction with rather than best; blaming all evil to the devil; exclusive dependence on apocalypse for final success. They do not accept converts. DEIFICATION OF ZOROASTER: His disciples made him an object of veneration along with Ahura Mazda. (Max Muller (ed)Sacred Books of the East Oxford, Krishna Press 1897-1910. pp 250-275).

FEATURES OF JAINISM

Jainism is the oldest personally founded religion in India. It was the first organized effort to bring about conscious improvement in Hinduism. But rather that reforming Hinduism it resulted in forming another religion. Mahavira was contemporary of Buddha, Lao-Tze, Zoroaster, Jeremiah, Ezekiel and Isaiah. Mahavira means 'great hero'. 'Jaina' means followers of Jina, 'victor'. Mahavira 599-527 B.C, claims to have known the significance of the fateful conflict between a person's flesh and spirit. At 30 he made renunciation and sought salvation through asceticism, and preached the new religion of asceticism. Though according to Mahavira no object is to be worshipped, he is worshipped idolatrously by his followers as sinless. He himself was apotheosized. He is regarded as descended from heaven without sin and with all knowledge.

CONCEPTION OF THE SUPREME BEING: Mahavira denied any supreme being in the world and rejected Hindu polytheistic belief in natural and supernatural powers. He condemned the practice of praying. But he did not accept his system as atheistic. SACRED SCRIPTURES: The inclusive name for them is Agamas (precepts) or Siddhantas (treatises). They are 12 written in Prakrit.

ETHICS OF JAINISM: It is a religion of asceticism involving self-denial. The perfect Jain is an ascetic, humble, inoffensive and unvindicative. It teaches one to abandon both love and hate as both are forms of attachment. The five great vows included prohibit killing, lying, stealing, all sexual pleasures and attachments. The cause of all misery is the connection of the material body with the pure eternal spirit of man. This theory is dualism. One should suppress his body to liberate soul to attain salvation or Moksha or Nirvana. The method of salvation is "three Jewels" of knowledge, faith and right conduct. Though it condemned caste it could not free itself from caste. It believed in karma or transmigration of souls resulting in rebirth in the world according to deeds in the previous existence. Women are condemned in the books of Jainism. 

HINDUISM AND JAINISM 

Similarity: He did not reject Hinduism nor was rejected by Hinduism. He believed in Karma and reincarnation of souls after death. But now both have belief in personal deity, polytheism, idolatry, caste principle and using brahmin priests in officiating temple worship. Dissimilarity: He rejected Hinduism's belief in deities and also its monistic philosophy to which individual soul and all matter are part of the world soul. He asserted independence of individual soul. His dualistic philosophy affirmed the existence of individual soul and matter. He protested against Hinduism's animal sacrifices and advocated ascetic self-sacrifice and kindness to animals. He was against caste and advocated equality of all men. He was against Hinduism's method of salvation by prayers and ceremonies with the help of priests and deities and advocated a self-saving scheme. It protested against Hinduism's sacred scriptures written in Sanskrit. It protested against Hinduism's exclusive interest in one's own caste and country and tried to establish a religion beneficial to all. (Robert E Hume World’s Living Religions NY C Scribner’s' Sons 1959 pp 67-71)

STRENGTH OF JAINISM: Insistence on self-renunciation and reality of body and soul, subordination of the material things of the world for the values of the soul, and theoretical condemnation of caste.

WEAKNESS OF JAINISM: include lack of supreme personal deity, self-saving scheme, false analysis of the cause of evil as located in the body, emphasis on external asceticism and negative repression, kindness to animals and low estimate of human life, condemnation of woman and historic lapse into idolatry and caste. (Herbert Stroup Four Religions of Asia NY, Harper and Row, 1968 pp 99-115).

DIVISIONS WITHIN JAINISM: Sthanakvasi, Swetambara and Digambara are the major sects within Jainism. Digambara does not allow possibility of religious salvation for women until by good life she becomes reborn as a man.

SALVATION IN SIKHISM

Salvation consists in knowing, obtaining and in being absorbed into God. It believes in the worthlessness of world and helplessness of   man. It also believes in salvation by grace as also stated in Upanishads. Its idea of absolute submission was the method of Islam. Its method of a pantheistic merging of the individual self with the mystical world soul is Upanishadic.

THEOLOGY: It was an attempt to harmonize the most powerful rival religions in India, Hinduism and Islam. It fused the anti-idolatrous monotheism of Islam and Hinduism's vague mystic pantheism and ended up in a notorious idolatry of Granth Sahib and Gurus. It believes in one God who is absolute and sovereign. He is not considered as personal, but equated with truth and reality. The usual name given to the Sikh deity is SAT NAM, true name. WEAKNESS OF THE RELIGION: Repetitiousness and the mystical content lessness of worship, submissive fatalism, inaccessible contents of scripture, idolatrous worship of the scripture and self-centeredness of the Sikhs, though there is solidarity among its adherents. (Gopal Singh A History of the Sikh People (1469-1988) World Book Centre, New Delhi.1988. pp 120-123).

SIMILARITY WITH HINDUISM: Theoretical belief in mystical supreme reality and practical worship of deities, theistic application of pantheism, doctrine of karma and transmigration of souls. DISAGREEMENT: Hindu polytheism, scriptures, degradation of women, infanticide, vegetarianism, pilgrimages, ritualism and hermit asceticism are repudiated in favor of monistic pantheism, pure worship of the pure one, higher regard for women and vigorous meat eating. SIMILARITY WITH ISLAM: is of sovereign supreme personal being, salvation through submission to god, worship through repetition of the name of deity, devotion to the founder as god's prophet, extreme reverence of sacred scripture, powerful militaristic church state, unity among believers, denunciation of idolatry and central shrine Mecca and Amritsar. But the God of the Bible cannot be reconciled with any other so-called gods. (Isa 43:10) (Josh McDowell and Don Stewart. Understanding Non-Christian Religions Here is Life Publishers, California. 1982. pp 181-187)

WORSHIP AND ORGANIZATION IN SIKHISM

The worship in Sikhism is by meditation through repetition of the true name. There is absence of sacrifice and idols. Its emphasis on the need of Guru for salvation is in conformity with Hinduism's veneration of human gurus and Islam's veneration of Mohammed. The pure Khalsa congregation (sangat) was strengthened especially by the 10th Guru.

NANAK'S CALL: During his call Guru was in the forest and spent days together there. There he had vision of God and nectar was offered to him. He was told '... My name is God, the primal Brahma, and thou are the divine guru'. After remaining silent for a day, he uttered, 'there is no Hindu and no Musalman'. The general belief was that he was possessed with an evil spirit and a Mulla was summoned to exorcise it. Nanak was immediately revered as a divine savior. He is considered as the supreme God himself. Thus, Satan fills every ideological gap with a new ideology or religion and get the worship of man. (M.A. Maculiffe Sikh Religion: Its Gurus, Sacred Writings and Authors London, Oxford University Press 1909 pp 30-35)

Sikhism is the only religion, except Judaism, which gave birth to a nation. It is more political than religious. Sikhism is generally understood as an offshoot of the Bhakti movement, the Hindu mystic renaissance of the middle ages emphasizing the oneness of God and man's direct emotional relationship with this personal or absolute reality irrespective of caste. It is a synthesis of the fundamentals of the Hindu Bhakti and Muslim Sufism. Nanak gave deferent meanings to the doctrines of Hinduism and Islam. He said my god is neither in the Veda, nor in the Semitic texts, for he is beyond both, being a living presence. There were fundamental differences between the Bhakti philosophy and the outlook of Nanak (1469-1538). They include: Bhakta's scriptural authority based upon Vedas, their adoration to one of the incarnations of Vishnu, emphasis on renunciation, contempt of women, spiritual indifference to, not total repudiation of caste as a social force - Nanak had different views on all these. (Gopal Singh A History of the Sikh People (1469-1988) World Book Centre, New Delhi.1988. p.1)

The origin and growth of Sikh religion is connected with the history of its 10 Gurus. They are Guru Nanak, Guru Angad (1538-1552), Guru Amaedas (1552-1574), Guru Ramdas (1574-1581), Guru Arjan (1581-1606), Guru Har Govind (1606-1638), Guru Har Rai (1638-1660), Guru Har Kishan (1660-1664), Guru Tegh Behadur (1664-1675), Guru Govind Singh (1675-1708). He required all sikhs to assume the surname 'singh' meaning 'lion'. He also instituted a new baptismal rite according to which the initiates were required to drink and also to be sprinkled with sweeted water stirred in an iron basin with a sharp sword. He wrote the Granth of the tenth Guru and declared it to be a supplementary authority with the Adi Granth. After his death in 1708 the supreme loyalty of the sikhs was transferred from the persona Guru to the Granth Saheb. The political organization of Sikhism as a militant church state became extinct in 1849 when Maharajah Dhulip Singh surrendered to the British and submitted Kohinoor diamond to Queen Victoria.

SCRIPTURE: The Adi Granth, an anthology of poems was compiled in 1604 by the 5th guru. Dasam Granth is the book of the 10th Guru. Granth Saheb, because it is written in 6 languages, is the most difficult work to understand. 90% of the sikhs do not understand the contents of the book. (Josh Mcdowell and Don Stewart. Understanding Non-Christian Religions Here is Life Publishers, California. 1982 pp 181-184)