Is Zoroastrianism an Ecological Religion?

Authors

  • Richard Foltz Concordia University
  • Manya Saadi-nejad Concordia University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.v1i4.413

Keywords:

Zoroastrianism, environmental ethics, religion and nature

Abstract

In recent years a number of Zoroastrian scholars have sought to characterize Zoroastrianism as the ‘world’s first environmental religion’, pointing to a number of rituals and injunctions aimed at safeguarding nature from activities seen as polluting. However, while the tradition does indeed enjoin Zoroastrians to respect and protect many aspects of nature, pollution is seen in ritual terms, not ecological ones. Moreover, in the dualistic Zoroastrian worldview, which posits an ongoing struggle between the forces of good and evil, many animal and plant species are seen as being on the side of evil and are thus to be destroyed whenever possible. This worldview can at times set Zoroastrianism in opposition to that of contemporary science that, generally speaking, does not distinguish between good and bad species, but sees all species as integral to the healthy functioning of ecosystems.

Author Biographies

  • Richard Foltz, Concordia University
    Associate Professor
  • Manya Saadi-nejad, Concordia University
    Research Associate

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Published

2008-01-25

Issue

Section

Articles

How to Cite

Foltz, R., & Saadi-nejad, M. (2008). Is Zoroastrianism an Ecological Religion?. Journal for the Study of Religion, Nature and Culture, 1(4), 413-430. https://doi.org/10.1558/jsrnc.v1i4.413