Apostasy in Zoroastrianism
Apostasy in Zoroastrianism is when a Zoroastrian leaves Zoroastrianism, which leads to punishment, the most common of which was execution. The punishment for apostasy was applied to Zoroastrians who converted to Christianity and were accused of practicing heresy.
Texts
In the Zoroastrian holy book, the Avesta, in the Vendidad section at the beginning of chapter 15, the text mentions the greatest sins a Zoroastrian might commit, the first of which is spreading a doctrine other than the Zoroastrian faith to other Zoroastrians. The punishment for this act is two hundred beheadings.[1]
In the book Tansir a book specializing in punishments during the Sasanian era, there is a distinction made between those who leave Zoroastrianism and those who introduce heresies into it. The former states that previously, those who left Zoroastrianism were killed immediately. However, because the king desired a lighter punishment, the first step was imprisonment, and Zoroastrian religious scholars were summoned to persuade the apostate to return to Zoroastrianism. If he refused and remained defiant, he was killed. As for those who introduce heresies into Zoroastrianism in the name of religious interpretation, the punishment was torture to death by having an elephant trample them.[2] In the book Rivāyatī Ēmēdī Ašawahištān, attributed to Omid-e-Ashwishtan, a Zoroastrian priest, there is a statement that a Zoroastrian who converts to Islam will be given a year to return to Zoroastrianism, otherwise, he will be killed and his property confiscatedه[3] And in the book Pahlavi stated that an apostate deserves death[4]
In the Zoroastrian book of Arda Viraf, chapter 36, it is mentioned that Ardavirav saw a snake with a human-shaped head. He inquired about it, and an angel told him that this was the punishment for apostasy.[5] In the book Menog-i Khrad chapter 36, abandoning religion is considered one of the most heinous sins.[6] In Denkard, chapters 215, 216, 231, and 246, apostates and apostasy are condemned.[7]
Persecution of Christians
The Christians of the Sasanian state were subjected to several periods of persecution, mainly targeting Zoroastrians who had converted to Christianity or who were trying to spread it. Executions were carried out through torture, even to the point of cutting off all limbs and preventing the burial of the body. According to the encyclopedia, this was a punishment specifically for those who apostatized from Zoroastrianism.[8]
Apostasy in contemporary Zoroastrianism
In contemporary Zoroastrianism, its stance on apostasy has not changed much, as evidenced by the Zoroastrian scholar Dr. Ardeshir Khorshidian's treatise on Zoroastrian rulings, including the confiscation of the property of a Zoroastrian who embraces Baha'i faith.[9]
Furthermore, in the book "Settlement and Conflict" by the Zoroastrian scholar Jamshed Garshasp Choksi, and in another book, he describes the one who abandons Zoroastrianism as having his soul deprived of paradise.[10]
References
- ↑ "AVESTA: VENDIDAD (English): Fargard 15". www.avesta.org. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ كتاب تنسر - 42ص/٣٨ص - 51ص/٤٧ص - مكتبة نور
- ↑ روایت اِمید اشَوَهیشتان، ترجمه و پژوهش دکتر نزهت صفای اصفهان، تهران، نشر مرکز، 1376، ص 169 Archived 2020-01-26 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ کشتن و اعدام مرتد در آیین زرتشتی بر اساس متن «روایت پهلوی» (از متون زرتشتی مشهور) Archived 2026-08-19 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "The Book of Arda Viraf". www.avesta.org. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ "Menog-i Khrad: contents". www.avesta.org. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ "Denkard, Book 6: Wisdom of the Sages". www.avesta.org. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ "MARTYRS, CHRISTIAN". Encyclopaedia Iranica. Retrieved 2026-08-21.
- ↑ دهش فرهنگی یا لُرک مینوی، ص ۲۸۵ - اردشیر خورشیدیان Archived 2026-08-19 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ كتاب ستیز و سازش، ص ۱۱۱ ـ ۱۱۲ - جمشید گرشاسب چوکسی Archived 2020-02-14 at the Wayback Machine