Quarterly Discussion 2009: Second Quarter

[Admin]

What Drives the Zarathushti Spirit?

Every two years, Zarathushti youth have the opportunity to attend congresses all over the world. Hundreds attend each congress to make acquaintances, meet old friends and family, network, find their soul mate. Perhaps even for the commitment to their faith and to make a positive change in their community.

But with the age of instant messages and emoticons, the gaps between each two or more years has lessened. Networking sites like Myspace, Facebook, Orkut, Zpeakerbox and many others are a place for people to stay in touch no matter where they are. It gives you the space (and yet, some may argue, lack thereof) to keep in contact with many at a time, and with very little effort.

In previous articles, we've questioned how Zpeakerbox is any different than other networking websites. What we've concluded is that it's not.

But it begs the question, what sets Zpeakerbox aside from other websites the same way Zoroastrian youth congresses are set apart from any other type of youth conferences? What is the reason people attend congresses? What is the reason people join Zpeakerbox?

Is every Zoroastrian networking event, whether a congress or a website, dare we ask... a space to find your perfect mate? Do youths really seek more? All honesty on the table, are our end goals really only to seek matrimony? Is that why many who attend youth congresses never attend again once they have found that special someone? Is that why those who have found their soul mates online never bother to return to the site they first PM'd each other?

Is that really what drives the Zarathushti spirit? What drives you to log into Zpeakerbox or register for a congress? At the end of the day, what is your end goal?

[Roopkirani]

Sense of community. It's an insatiable need for community that drives me to sign into Zpeakerbox everyday (several times a day, I might add) and to register for congresses. I want to know what my fellow Zarathushtis are thinking, what irks them, the issues they face, if they face they same issues I do, their experiences in life etc.

Congresses were strictly for socializing at one time. I didn't care about the content that was being offered. I only cared about the parties and socializing, being with friends and exploring the host city. As my values change I realize differently now.

My goal is to make some kind of difference in our small community. I want to be involved in different facets and help where I can. Whether Zpeakerbox has achieved any such thing thus far or whether it will in the future, I don't know. I am however willing to see where it takes us.

[Jimmy]

Yep Sharon Nailed it on the head.

Sense of community is why I seek out Z networking groups and friend circles etc. However sense of community is ironically why I choose NOT to go to the local Z-org or North American congresses as I truly feel that the 'community' here is not somthing I can identify with, and as time goes on the gap will only increase futher.

Fortunately for me, there are many people who I can feel like we share more than just the same word that we call our religion, but unfortunately they are all over the place. I keep in close contact with as many of them as I can, and thats how I get my fill of community. It would be lovely to meet all of them at the same event but that is just not feasable (I dont think)

Im more drawn to ZB as it offers more of a neutral/relaxed atmosphere lacking in real world orginizations and events. I tried to be part of the Main Z group on FB.. that turned into a circus really quickly, and I often go back for some entertainment, or to even be part of the show. :)

[Jazzi]

For me its alot about bonding with people from the same religious background, especially with the size of our communiy. For instance ive made many friends through ZB and other zoro sites and learnt so much about our religion too. As for ZB i loggon because its a place i can ask whatever I want about out culture/religion no matter how small or insignificant it may seem without feeling stupid and come across the opinions of other zoro's my age around the world...

[sanaya83]

I'd have to agree with Sharon...Despite living in Bombay and India which has a large Zoroastrian population, I barely had a couple of Zoroastrian friends in school and college. Perhaps that's also owing to the fact that I don't live in a colony. It's only in the last 3-4 years that I have got to know a lot of Zoroastrians here and abroad through sites like Zpeakerbox, orkut and hi5. I don't choose friends based on their religion but I do find a slight bond with my zoro friends and yeah it's always good to know what the other community members are like..
Haha and as for the matrimonial thing, still hasn't worked ;)

[ANTOUSH]

What Drives the Zarathushti Spirit?



Greatness.

Some Zoroastrian writings, by sacred Magis, in the 8th century warned us Iranians. They said all our accomplishments, we do owe to the Zoroastrian faith. From the Achaemenid Cyrus to Dareios, to the great Ardashir of the Sassanids. We Iranians achieved glory for we obeyed the laws of Ahuramazda, the tenets of Spitama Zaratusthra.

Their prophecy became truth and we slowly realise that we have to return to our acient path. The path that put us above other nations. The path that made us rule the entire world. The path that brought humanism and equalilty. The only path to rescue the earth. The path of the good relegion. Therefor I contribute on this site.