From Power to Powerlessness: Zoroastrianism in Iranian History

Stausberg, Michael

doi:10.1163/9789004216846_009

Cited by 9 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 11 publications

(3 reference statements)

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“…If 8 percent of this population defines their religious identity as Zoroastrian, that amounts to almost 4 million people. That is more than hundredfold the number of Zoroastrians recorded by scholarship on contemporary Iranian Zoroastrianism (Foltz 2011; Fozi, 2014, 2022; Green 2000; Kestenberg Amighi 2016; Stausberg, 2012, 2015; Stewart, 2016, 2018, 2020; also compare with Eberhard, Simons, and Fennig 2021). We dub this numerical inflation as recorded by GAMAAN “Survey Zoroastrianism.” The hypothesis is that these millions of people are not “closeted Zoroastrians” who have come out of their hiding places, nor people intending to convert to Zoroastrianism, but participating in the anonymous survey, free from scrutiny by the government, gave participants an unprecedented opportunity of making a choice among different religious identities included in the questionnaire.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Survey Zoroastrians: Online Religious Identification in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Stausberg

Arab

Maleki

2023

Scientific Study of Religion

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This article contributes to the internationalization of survey methodology by discussing a case from a totalitarian state, the Islamic Republic of Iran. In 2020, GAMAAN (The Group for Measuring and Analyzing Attitudes in Iran) conducted an online survey on religion. The survey had 50,000 participants, around 90 percent of whom lived in Iran. This article discusses the result that, after weighting, 8 percent identified as Zoroastrian—many times the number of Zoroastrians as recorded by scholarship on Iranian Zoroastrianism. We dub this phenomenon “Survey Zoroastrianism” and offer an explanation for this finding. After describing the position of Zoroastrianism in modern Iran and adding two further online surveys conducted by GAMAAN in 2022, we discuss the Survey Zoroastrians’ demographics and their religious and political views. The analysis shows that participating in surveys beyond the government's control provided affordances for performing alternative identity aspirations tied to notions of nationalism and civilizational heritage.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Survey Zoroastrians: Online Religious Identification in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Stausberg

Arab

Maleki

2023

Scientific Study of Religion

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“…The Vedas have a lot in common with these scriptures, the Zendavesta (Graham 1993). Some Parsis remained in the Iranian cities of Yazd and Kerman, paying the jizya tax, numbering about 25,000 in Iran today (Stausberg 2012). As of 2014, about 69,000 Parsis practice their religion in Maharashtra and Gujarat, India (Chaubey et al 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Zarathustra: Exploring the Interplay of Marriage, Faith, and Social Life

Murshida Khatun,

Md Amirul Islam

2024

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This paper explores the intricate interplay between marriage, faith, and social dynamics within the framework of Zoroastrianism, commonly referred to as the Zarathustra religion, offering a succinct exposition of its historical origins and cultural significance. The aim of this study is to examine the impact of the Zarathustrianism belief system on the institution of marriage, the formation of social connections, and the development of individual and communal practices. The methodology employed in this study entails a descriptive qualitative approach that involves an extensive analysis of textual sources, anthropological studies, historical records, and data gathered from surveys conducted in 2004 and 2012. The findings of this research uncover the religious rituals associated with marriage, the influence of faith on marital relationships, and the consequences of religious teachings on social norms and customs for most worshipers of this religion who live in India, Iran, and the USA. It casts light on the complex relationships between marriage, religion, and social life within the context of the Zarathustrianism religion, offering insightful information about the real-world experiences of its adherents and the enormous relevance of these components within their community.

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“…Zoroastrianism was the first "official" state religion of the Iranian land. It is among the world oldest religions, with roots in the second millennium BCE and primordial ties to the Iranian land and history (Stausberg, 2012). According to Stausberg (2012):…”

Section: Religions Thoughts and Practices In Iranmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To have good thoughts, words and deeds (Rose, 2011;Stausberg, 2012). The metaphor of light and shadow has been extensively discussed in contemporary leadership and ethics literature to distinguish moral and immoral leaders (Johnson, 2005).…”

Section: Religions Thoughts and Practices In Iranmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Iranian Leadership Ideals: A Culturally-based Leadership Approach

Davari¹

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you are my chosen family. You gave me so much inspiration, love, strength and sense of belonging. I also am grateful for my small group of Iranian friends in San Diego, with whom I shared the complexity of immigration, and integrating in a new country while celebrating our cultural identity. My family are my roots. No matter how far we live from one another, we are deeply connected. This reminds me of Rumi's poem "Maybe you are searching among the branches, for what only appears in the roots." Mina and Davood, my dear parents, you keep teaching me faith, hard work, love, and integrity. You empowered me to become a strong independent woman but reminded me to keep love and care for others at my core. There is no word I can express my gratitude for you. Andisheh, you are not just my beautiful sister; you are my best friend, my jix! Your love is with me everywhere in every step. We may live in two different hemispheres, but we nourish from the same source. Having you in my life is the evidence of a dream coming true. I couldn't begin to imagine my life without you. I thank you, Soheil and Belfie for being part of my journey. Arash, you are a loving partner and best friend. You made the last two years of graduate school much smoother with bringing good music, laughter, and many magical moments into my life. I am so thankful for all that you taught me, challenged me, and inspired me to be, and for constantly reminding me of my strength and capacities. I would like to end x by thanking my best furry friend, Charlie, who patiently sat with me through many hours of reading and writing and made the flow of my work soft and silky filled with love. x TABLE OF CONTENTS

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From Power to Powerlessness: Zoroastrianism in Iranian History

Cited by 9 publications

References 11 publications

Survey Zoroastrians: Online Religious Identification in the Islamic Republic of Iran

Survey Zoroastrians: Online Religious Identification in the Islamic Republic of Iran

The Zarathustra: Exploring the Interplay of Marriage, Faith, and Social Life

Iranian Leadership Ideals: A Culturally-based Leadership Approach

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