Our Beliefs

The theme of the 12^th World Zoroastrian Congress is “Bridging the Global Zoroastrian Existence.” So, what needs to be bridged? We need to bridge different beliefs that we hold on important issues. The first step to take in bridging these differences is to understand individual beliefs. The ultimate destination we seek to achieve is the Vision of an Ideal Global Zoroastrian Community. That quest will likely go on for years, but we want to begin now.

Some previous World Zoroastrian Congresses had followed a similar approach, and we would like to re-initiate this process with the 12^th World Zoroastrian Congress.

We wish to capture your beliefs in the attached survey. The preparation for it has begun before we convene, so that the results could be presented during the Congress.

Please help us develop an understanding of our collective beliefs by completing the attached survey, which is being sent to all registered attendees of the Congress. The statements are grouped in 6 categories: (1) Sources to Learn about Zoroastrianism, (2) Reimagining Religious Education, (3) Universality and Inclusion, (4) Rituals and Religious Festivals, (5) Community and Belonging, and (6) Persuasion, not Coercion. In each category, beliefs are broken down into single ideas, so that agreement or disagreement can be clearly reached. You may use the space provided for comments to explain or qualify your answer.

Please tell us about your personal beliefs on these issues, not those received from any formal or informal authorities. We have sometimes hesitated to declare our beliefs on some of these issues. We hope we can overcome that hesitation and participate in this survey in large numbers. Including your name on the survey is optional.

This survey is expected to take about 20 minutes. Please send the completed document to us by June 17, 2022. This will give us time to process the results, which will be presented during the Congress.

Or, as the poet Kabir says, “What you must do tomorrow, do it today; and what you must do today, do it now!”

Keki Dadachanji & Aban Rustomji

Co-chairs, Program Committee

12^th World Zoroastrian Congress