Answer the following statement(s) true (T) or false (F)

Question

1. Zoroastrians believe that the universe is composed of two competing forces, good and evil.
2. Traditionally, Zoroastrians are encouraged to marry outside the religion to gain converts.
3. The book Thus Spoke Zarathustra is about Zoroastrianism.
4. According to Daoist views, a spirit-person has a lot of primordial qi.
5. Filial piety means that one should honor even one’s deceased ancestors.

Answer 1

1. TRUE - A foundational feature of Zoroastrianism is dualism, the notion that the cosmos is composed of two competing forces. From the beginning of the world, the Zoroastrian scriptures say, there have been two incompatible, antagonistic spirits in the world. One is the good God, Ahura Mazda; the other is a devil-like figure, Angra Mainyu.
2. FALSE - In Zoroastrianism, marriage must be to another within the faith, preferably a member in a clan relationship, although avoiding incest. In other words, marriage must be close, but not too close.
3. FALSE - The most influential work on Zarathustra in North America today—Thus Spoke Zarathustra by the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche—is not about Zoroastrianism at all. Thus Spoke Zarathustra has been disavowed by almost all Zoroastrians from the time of its publication, because its theme of an individual getting beyond conventional morality, and then even beyond morality itself, contradicts one of the main beliefs of Zoroastrianism.
4. FALSE - According to Daoist views, to attain spiritual immortality, one must change all one's qi into primordial qi and then refine it. This finer qi will gradually turn into pure spirit, enabling one to become a "spirit-person" already in this life.
5. TRUE - According to Confucian views, deceased ancestors are to be remembered by name, honored, and even obeyed (if their special will becomes known). This is an essential part of xiao, “filial piety.”