Tradition vs. Change, how do we decide?

 

The question of whether or not change is acceptable in religion is a question that will

never, never go away. Change can be either for the better or for the worse. Zoroastrians

follow a set of rules, beliefs, and values which have been followed by their ancestors for

generations, and many think that these things shouldn't be experimented with or changed.

On the other hand, some people believe that it is okay to change the religion if desired.

Desire to change religion is all around us. Some people do not wear sudreh-kusti, people

want to pray in English, and some want to marry non-Zoroastrians. Others denounce these

things, on the grounds that they are un-Zoroastrian.

To make the entire picture clear I will present the reasons for and against religious change in chart form.

FOR
1. Religious doctrine has been transmitted orally for generations. This may have resulted in flaws and mistakes over time. We should do our best to correct the mistakes.

2. Our religion must suit our lifestyle and our home. We now live in different countries than in the past and we must make accommodations in our doctrine so that our lives are simpler.

3. Man has the power to think and reason, and if in his judgement religion must be changed, then obviously it can be.


 AGAINST
1. Religion is man's connection with God. Therefore we must follow it as God wants us to follow it, not as we want to follow it. God told us how to follow our religion (through prophet Zarathushtra and other messengers), so we must follow it as he told us.

2. Prophet Zarathushtra and other saints who revealed the Zoroastrian religion to us were spiritually enlightened messengers from God Himself. We humans cannot challenge what the prophets taught us.

3. Attempting to change your religion is like telling God that you know better than Him what is right and what is wrong. Can we question God?

Some reasons for and against changing religion are presented above. If you can think of any others, please email us at webmaster@zoroastrianismtoday.4t.com . Whether or not you approve of changing religious doctrine is a decision you must make yourself.

 

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