is so ambiguous. Due to continued persecution and many hardships, Zoroastrians were scattered throughout the Middle East. Zoroasters philosophy was transferred person-to-person, which has caused many alterations that may not be inline with true Zoroastrianism.What direct effects Zoroastrianism had on later Judeo-Christian religions can not be said for certain. "Zoroaster's doctrine of rewards and punishments, of an eternal bliss and an eternity of woe allotted to good and evil men in another life beyond the grave is so strikingly similar to (Judeo-Christian) teaching that we cannot fail to ask whether here at least there is not a direct influence at work. "For the similarities are so great and the historical context so neatly apposite that it would be carrying skepticism altogether too far to refuse to draw the obvious conclusion." (Zaehner 57) Since Zoroastrianism was developed somewhere between 100 - 900 years before Judaism and Jews had direct interaction with Iranians, it can be concluded that Iranians influenced the Jews, especially in the ways of religion. (Clark 162) It can then be said that Zoroastrianism was the basis for Christianity as well as Judaism, since Judaism held the founding principles for Christianity. Zoroastrianism in today's world finds itself at a constant state of change. As with many other religions, Zoroastrians have been forced to conform their religious communities due to pressures and ideals of the modern world. There is much questioning of traditional values and practices prompted by "members of other faiths, spurred on largely by the electronic age, fast frequent transport and mass communication" and "has encouraged many Zoroastrians to embark upon a reappraisal of hitherto accepted theological, cultural and liturgical norms." (Clark 137) Today, the Zoroastrian community consists of 130,000 - 150,000 individuals. Most of the followers live in India, Iran and various parts of the western worl...
