martillo@ihuxt.UUCP (Yehoyaqim Martillo) (04/30/84)
I saw this letter in Friday's New York Times. To the Editor: As a fellow journalist and "adopted" New Yorker, I must write to say how much I enjoyed Russel Baker's bitter-sweet column "Alert on Dangerous Turf" (April 18). I had much the same reaction when I got married and first visited my husband's home in the lovely little island country of Fiji. It is a place where everybody smiles at everybody else -- for no special reason, except that people are warm and friendly. Imagine my plight: Conditioned as I had been to the New York habit of not making eye contact, of regarding a smile with suspicion, I was in a constant state of paranoia. To smile back or not to smile back? Well, after a period of exposure to the disease, the infection was too strong, and I succumbed. Happily and completely. ***[The point]*** May I, however, presume to correct Mr. Baker on a minor point? He speaks of giving money "for the propagation of Zoroastrianism." As a Zoroastrian, I would like to inform him that my religion is not propagated. One can only be born a Zoroastrian. The community does not accept converts. Would that some other religions practiced such self-restraint. The world would be a more peaceful place. So save your money for some other worthy cause, Mr. Baker. That is, if you are not relieved of it by your friendly neighborhood mugger in the meantime. Zarine Nandan New York, April 20, 1984
dxp@pyuxhh.UUCP (D Peak) (05/01/84)
Zoroastrian's belief system (from memory) That the forces of good and evil are basically balanced. For every good deed that an individual performs the forces of good are able to counter any increase in the forces of evil. Vice versa for bad deeds. Conversion to Zoroastrian in itself is neither good or bad therefore there is no need for converts. No one is every totally "lost"- you can always do a good deed to at least balance the last bad deed that you did. The principles as stated above are what I remember from talks with friends whilst I was in Iran (1976). I was never able to find out if there was a reward/punishment clause associated with Zoroastrian belief.(Perhaps others can provide that info ....). I think its time to hit the library again and turn to the letter Z. The whole belief system seems so easy to follow why is it not more widespread(religous hierarchies ??). Dave Peak(pyuxhh!dxp) "According to you everything I do is either illegal,immoral or fattening !" - W.C. Fields