According to Egyptian mythology, Horus was originally believed to be the son of Ra and Hathor and the
husband/brother of Isis. Later he was seen as the son of Osiris and Isis once Hathor and Isis were merged into
one being. Horus was considered the sky, sun, and moon god represented by a man with the head of falcon.

Zoroaster was an Iranian prophet and founder of Zoroastrianism. Though the dating of his life is heatedly
debated, he is believed to be a contemporary of King Hystaspes, making a 6th century B.C. dating most likely.
Evidence is shown throughout the Avesta which mentions personal conversations between the two. One example
is as follows:

"'I am a pious man, who speaks words of blessing,' thus said Zarathushtra to the young king Vishtaspa 'O young
king Vishtaspa! [I bless thee]" Vishtasp Yasht, 1

VIRGIN BIRTH There is no mention of a virgin birth in any Zoroastrian text nor do the events of Zoroaster's
birth seem to have any relation to Jesus. The actual accounts regarding his birth are given below:

Version 1: Zoroaster's parents (Dukdaub and Pourushasp) were a normal married couple who conceive a son
through natural means. Zoroaster is described as laughing when he is born as well as having a visible, glowing
aura about him:

"[Zoroaster] had come into the posterity...who are Pourushasp, his father, and Dukdaub who is his mother. And
also while he is being born and for the duration of life, he produced a radiance, glow, and brilliance from the
place of his own abode..." Denkard, Bk 5 2:1-2

Version 2: In a later text, an embellishment is added by Zoroastrian followers. We are told Ahura Mazda (the
main deity of Zoroastrianism) implants the soul of Zoroaster into the sacred Haoma plant and through the plant's
milk Zoroaster is born.

TEMPTED IN THE WILDERNESS Zoroaster is also said to have been tempted by an evil spirit to renounce his
faith with the promise of receiving power over the nations. However, this story is found in the Vendidad, the
Zoroastrian text which lists the laws regarding demons, penned sometime between 250 - 650 A.D. (centuries
after the life of Jesus):

"Again to him said the Maker of the evil world, Angra Mainyu: 'Do not destroy my creatures, O holy
Zarathushtra... Renounce the good Religion of the worshippers of Mazda, and thou shalt gain such a boon as...the
ruler of the nations.'" Vendidad Fargad 19:6

SEED OF A WOMAN The Christian Old Testament refers to the savior of mankind being born of a woman. Critics
claim this concept was stolen from Zoroaster whose name means seed of the woman. Apparently no one
investigated this claim because the name is an ancient Iranian compound of zareta (old, feeble) and ustra
(camel). His original Persian name Zarathushtra (Zoroaster is the Greek/English translation) literally translates as
owner of old feeble camels. Source and Source Zoroaster was also allegedly called The Word Made Flesh and
The Living Word but no such references exist.

MINISTRY BEGAN AT 30 Like Jesus, Zoroaster was believed to begin his teachings at the age of 30. Though
Zoroaster technically came out of seclusion at the age of 30 to begin his teachings, he was shunned and ignored
for 12 years until his religion was accepted by King Vishtaspa. Jesus, on the other hand, attracted followers
instantly. Zoroaster was believed to be killed around the age of 77 while Jesus was killed at the age of 33.
Furthermore this fact about Zoroaster is not mentioned until later texts dated around 225 A.D. (almost 200 years
after Christianity had already been in circulation).

EUCHARIST Though critics claim the concept of a bread-wine communion originated with Zoroaster, no such
celebration exists. Though priests accepted sacrifices of meat, flowers, milk, bread, fruit, and sacred water,
there was no symbolic communion performed by Zoroastrian followers other than drinking the juice from the
sacred Haoma plant (but this did not hold the body-blood significance of the Christian Eucharist). Source

RELIGIOUS TEACHINGS Critics point out the similarities between the basic belief structure of Zoroastrianism
and Christianity. Superficially, there are many correlations between the two until they are further examined:
  1. Both teach a spiritual battle between good and evil. True, but this is true for almost all religions. The chief
    god of Zoroastrianism is Ahura Mazda while the chief God of the Judeo-Christian belief is Yahweh. The
    arch enemy of Zoroastrianism is Angra Mainyu whereas in Christianity he is known as Satan.
    Zoroastrianism also teaches the dualism of both figures whereas Christianity teaches the subordination of
    Satan to God.
  2. Salvation. Zoroastrianism teaches all men will be judged according to their works at the final judgment.
    Christianity teaches men are judged according to their acceptance of Christ.
  3. Judgment. Zoroastrianism teaches all men are eventually saved. Christianity teaches the fate of the sinful
    is eternal.
  4. Monotheism. Zoroaster originally taught the concept of one god but Zoroastrian priests, in order to make
    the religion more enticing, later added several other deities.
  5. Resurrection of all men. Zoroastrian teaches the eventual resurrection of all humans at the end of the
    age. Christianity also teaches this, but this for the judgment of souls and the reign of the righteous in the
    millennial kingdom.

HE WAS SLAIN FOR MANKIND'S SINS It is believed Zoroaster was killed at the age of 77 after being
slaughtered on one of his temple altars by Turanian invaders (although this is debated). Regardless, his death
was never believed to atone for sin or to hold any other spiritual purpose.

IN CONCLUSION Most Zoroastrian texts were written centuries after the Christian texts. The accounts of
Zoroaster's life that existed before the time of Jesus (the Gathas) consist mainly of vague poetic writings which
say very little about his life. The incredible acts later associated with him were added by Zoroastrian priests
wishing to make the religion more appealing.
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