Becker Bible Teacher Resources

A monotheistic, pre-Islamic religion of ancient Persia founded by the prophet Zoroaster (Zarathustra) in the 6th century. Believers worship a false god named Ahura Mazda, and follow Zarathusta in the religion of Mazdeism. Their system of worship presupposes a good spirit (Ormuzd) and an opposing evil Spirit (Ahriman). Once a dominant religion of Greater Iran, the number of adherents has dwindled to under 200,000 worldwide, with concentrations in India and Iran. The Zoroastrian Towers of Silence in Yazd, Iran, were used to leave their dead at the top of the towers to be consumed by vultures, a practice continued today among the Parsis of India.

A deep bow to one or both knees is a sign of devotion to the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. Genuflection is also done at the mention of the incarnation by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary within the liturgy of the Roman Catholic Church, and in the churches of the Anglican Communion.

Highly stylized portrait of Christ or the saints, intended to focus the mind of the viewer upon their subject and encourage imitation of their virtues. The beautiful icons of the Byzantine era were created to become literal windows to Heaven, work miracles. and to look upon its representation. Icons did not portray the presence of God in people's lives, but rather, they enabled the presence of God to come to believers, as their beauty was contemplated. The veneration of the idols suggested that through them God was worshipped; just as through the man Jesus, God was worshipped. (Hill, 135, 141).

Bibliography

Hill, Jonathan. "Early Christianity: A World Religion." Handbook to the History of Christianity. Zondervan, 2006.

A material object or image representing a false deity that is given worship, adoration, or devotion