Persia or Iran?

[RickLewis]

Zoroastrianism is indeed very interesting, and is apparently the true origin of both dualism and monotheism. Unfortunately, it has suffered centuries of repression by Islam, and its adherents now number less than 1% of the population. There's still at least one temple, though, in the city of Yazd, where Zoroastrian priests have kept a flame continuously burning since AD 470.

Year ago I went to a talk in Manchester given by an academic expert on Zoroastrianism. He familiarly called the Zoroastrians "Zoros", and his affection for them and his deep interest in their religion was evident. He said that one big reason for their gradually dwindling numbers was that they basically don't accept converts. You can't become a Zoroastrian. Even he couldn't become a Zoroastrian (and I had the impression he would have really rather liked to be one!).

[accelafine]

Freddie Mercury was Persian Zoroastrian.

[RickLewis]

Freddie Mercury was Persian Zoroastrian.

That's interesting. I assumed he was from Mercury...

[Impenitent]

at least he wasn't Freddy Quicksilver

-Imp

[Maia]

Zoroastrianism is indeed very interesting, and is apparently the true origin of both dualism and monotheism. Unfortunately, it has suffered centuries of repression by Islam, and its adherents now number less than 1% of the population. There's still at least one temple, though, in the city of Yazd, where Zoroastrian priests have kept a flame continuously burning since AD 470.

Year ago I went to a talk in Manchester given by an academic expert on Zoroastrianism. He familiarly called the Zoroastrians "Zoros", and his affection for them and his deep interest in their religion was evident. He said that one big reason for their gradually dwindling numbers was that they basically don't accept converts. You can't become a Zoroastrian. Even he couldn't become a Zoroastrian (and I had the impression he would have really rather liked to be one!).

He could have set up his own religion based on Zoroastrianism. That's what the prophet Mani did, for example.

[Maia]

Freddie Mercury was Persian Zoroastrian.

Indeed. His family were from India, where a lot of Zoroastrians had fled over the centuries, to avoid persecution, where they were known as Parsees (Persians).

[Maia]

Freddie Mercury was Persian Zoroastrian.

That's interesting. I assumed he was from Mercury...

The closest planet to the earth, on average.

[FlashDangerpants]

The real importance of this question is to have the proper signage when the "peace" deal is struck.

Is it "Iran 1: America 0", or "Persia 1: Great Satan 0"?