Topic of the Month - April 2008

[Admin]

The Future of Our Community

Fifty years from now, how do you envision the state and/or culture of the Zarthushti youth community in North America, India, and Iran?

[Nasha]

As for the culture of the Zarthushti youth community, I believe it will be preserved. Sure, not by all, but still by those who believe in it today. Those who preserve the culture will pass it down to the next generation and so forth. We can only hope that the youth of the generations to come are wise and proud of being a Zoroastrian and embrace that identity. Not run away from it.
Although I have noticed a lot of Zoroastrian youth today not embracing it. For instance, this one girl I know - I asked her what she was doing for Navroze. She's like, "I don't celebrate that stuff." I asked her why and she stated that she just doesn't care or bother with it. Sometimes I wonder if it's because of the surroundings we live in. Maybe there are a lot of Zoroastrians in one area and in another, barely a couple. Perhaps some youth are not bold enough to practice it with support, so they forget about the rituals and practices and move on. Having someone else believe in you and who you are helps.
Also, all these congresses are helping the youth. At least I think so. You meet new people, learn stuff about the religion that you never knew. It's a good learning experience. So, if the congresses and gatherings continue, there is definitely potential.
One can only pray and hope that the future generations stand up for what they believe in and not be afraid of what others may think.

PS: Sort of off topic, but we need to get our schools to have a day off for Navroze. It's our new year, and we should have it off!

[Roopkirani]

Originally Posted by nasha

PS: Sort of off topic, but we need to get our schools to have a day off for Navroze. It's our new year, and we should have it off!

I don't see that happening any time soon in North America. We are a great minority, after all.

[Nasha]

Originally Posted by Roopkirani

I don't see that happening any time soon in North America. We are a great minority, after all.

Get married earlier and have lots of children. Each couple with about four children and guide the children to practice the religion and pass it on! Soon enough, we won't be a minority anymore.

[Roopkirani]

Originally Posted by nasha

Get married earlier and have lots of children. Each couple with about four children and guide the children to practice the religion and pass it on! Soon enough, we won't be a minority anymore.

In my opinion, Nasha, that is not a feasible solution. I'm not saying I know what the solution is, I just don't believe the idea of Zarthushti women as baby-making machines is really going to solve much in the end.

[Nasha]

Originally Posted by Roopkirani

In my opinion, Nasha, that is not a feasible solution. I'm not saying I know what the solution is, I just don't believe the idea of Zarthushti women as baby-making machines is really going to solve much in the end.

Hmmm...good point.
What about your opinion? What do you predict about the culture of the youth?

[Roopkirani]

Without much deep thought or analysis of the question, my first prediction is that the Zarthushti youth will become divided with various groups practicing their version of Zoroastrianism the way they want, altering it as they see fit to their lifestyle. I suppose you could say this is already happening now. 50 years from now I predict it will be similar but on a larger scale.

[Paakzaad]

Originally Posted by Roopkirani

In my opinion, Nasha, that is not a feasible solution. I'm not saying I know what the solution is, I just don't believe the idea of Zarthushti women as baby-making machines is really going to solve much in the end.

You are retarded....get in that bed after marraige and start popping, my little popcorn machine...

[Roopkirani]

Originally Posted by Paakzaad

You are retarded....get in that bed after marraige and start popping, my little popcorn machine...

If you don't have anything of value to contribute to the TOTM, then why bother responding at all?

[Paakzaad]

Originally Posted by Roopkirani

If you don't have anything of value to contribute to the TOTM, then why bother responding at all?

Respond

[Parizad]

Originally Posted by Roopkirani

If you don't have anything of value to contribute to the TOTM, then why bother responding at all?

hurrah hurrah! way to stick it to the mannnn

[Parizad]

Originally Posted by Paakzaad

Respond

bahaha. way to stick it to the mannnn

[Number 96]

This is a great topic, one I have spent so much time deliberating over. Our community really lacks the spirit that the generations before ours had. I teach Zoro Sunday School at our local community - and we give the kids so much more than we had. When they have it handed to them and dont need to work for it they appreciate it less...
I feel that in its current state, the Zoro community accross the world will be even more faded than it is at the present. We need to boost, education all over the world primarily within the community. This includes language, tradition, culture and practice. Population will rise and fall with economic ebs and flows, regardless of your political beliefs (trad vs rad) but if the community has no direction then it will fail regardless of the numbers.

-Rayomand

[Number 96]

Our religion feels like one that has a dependant relationship with community. With blossoming communities, the religion flourishes. With depleting communities, the people within these micro societies lose what it means to be Zoroastrian - over integrate with the communities which surround and inundate them and possibly lose the faith that make them Zoro...
These are just my thoughts - I hope I do not offend anyone as that is not my intention. Apologies for the rant.
-Rayo

[vartamelon]

I know of Iranian kids here who are definitely into the Zoroastrian religion n many of them consider themselves to be Zoroastrian even tho their families technically arent. I feel that in during the next 50 years the Zoroastrian community will open up and be more welcoming to outsiders who want to convert in. That in return will definitely give our population a boost.

[Number 96]

Originally Posted by vartamelon

I know of Iranian kids here who are definitely into the Zoroastrian religion n many of them consider themselves to be Zoroastrian even tho their families technically arent. I feel that in during the next 50 years the Zoroastrian community will open up and be more welcoming to outsiders who want to convert in. That in return will definitely give our population a boost.

I personally feel that if they are full blooded Iranian/Persian and so were there families, then they sort of have a birthright to be Zoro... The only problem is conversion - how does it happen? What sort of ceremony? How will they be able to practice a religion that is not instilled upon them by means of community and/or family?
But I like how you thinking...

[vartamelon]

The thing with religion is tho, is thats it whats u feel n what u believe. so say there was someone who was following the religion n fully believed in its values n teachings, who is to stop one from that? I understand the opposition to welcoming converts is an attempt to keep the religion pure. But we are such a warm n fun n loving religion that it doesnt make sense that one thing we seem to have strict rules on is the topic of people converting despite it not being in any writing. All religions, if they didnt at some point accept converts, wouldnt have any followers.

As far as ceremonies n how it would happen... not like anything special would have to be created. Sedreh Pushi like everyone else. So many people wait till theyre adults to have it done anyways n some people go about never having it done. Doesnt make them a non-Zoroastrian.

[Paakzaad]

In the next 50 years, ZB would have collected $350 for the Ride to Conquer Cancer.


Come on GUYS DONATE!!!!

[Jimmy]

Varta, can you please tell me what makes you think:


It doesnt say in our scriptures that mixed marriage and conversion is wrong

and

Its OK (you are no less of a Z) if you choose not wear your s+k/never get your navjote done

I really am curious.

[Paakzaad]

Originally Posted by vartamelon

The thing with religion is tho, is thats it whats u feel n what u believe.

WRONG!!! Its not what you feel and believe. Because then a murderer or a rapist or a child molester, could feel and believe that its ok to do these things and that Zoroastrianism should include it. Its the same when extremists think its ok to kill and mame in the name of religon because of what they believe.

Originally Posted by vartamelon

so say there was someone who was following the religion n fully believed in its values n teachings, who is to stop one from that?

No one! We cannot change people's beliefs. But another thing that cannot change is its religious scriptures!

Originally Posted by vartamelon

I understand the opposition to welcoming converts is an attempt to keep the religion pure. But we are such a warm n fun n loving religion that it doesnt make sense that one thing we seem to have strict rules on is the topic of people converting despite it not being in any writing.All religions, if they didnt at some point accept converts, wouldnt have any followers.

There are many other religons that are "warm and funloving" and they do not accept converts. Refer to the article in the serious discussions forum about what other religons say. And "warm and fun loving" is our culture and not our religon, please refrain from mixing them up.

As far as ceremonies n how it would happen... not like anything special would have to be created. Sedreh Pushi like everyone else. So many people wait till theyre adults to have it done anyways n some people go about never having it done. Doesnt make them a non-Zoroastrian.

I yes but the first requirement of the Sedreh Pushi ceremony is that the child be a consenting Mazdayasni. And when they choose not to do it, it means they will remain Mazdayasni but they will never be Zarthusti.


Conversion is not the solution to our religon's population (if there is really a problem). Our population has remained at a standstill, with minor ups and downs since we came to India. It is not our population that has declined but the population of the world in the last 200 years that has blown. Our numbers have merely shrunk by ratio! The population in India is dropping??? Why??? Because, youth like you and me are moving out. We are building lives somewhere else. These converts are not going to go back to India and save our shrinking community, they are not going to go to Udwada and save the ghost town.

Besides what are you (and I don't mean you Varta, none of this is personal) going to teach a new convert, when you yourself have limited knowledge of the religon.

The solution to todays Zoroastrian problem is one of the most fundamental Zoroastrian requirements. Knowledge! We need to educate ourselves. We need to educate our youth. We need to educate people around us about what not only our religon means but also why it is so important to follow what God has chosen for you.