Are Zoroastrians offended that there's a car named after their god?

Or have they ever been?

The major deity in Zoroastrianism is Ahura Mazda. According to this site devoted to the 626, they used part of that name for the Mazda car company:

Is there or has their ever been any reaction from Zoroastrian leaders or practitioners to the name of their god being borrowed by a car company? I wouldn’t imagine that Christians would be fond of the Jesus Christ 626, or that Muslims would be fond of the Allah Miata, but they’re obviously much larger faiths, both worldwide and within the US.

They didn’t complain when GE used Mazda as a trademark for light bulbs in the 20s and 30s. But that made a certain amount of sense – Mazda was always associated with light.

How many Zoroastrians own (or are familiar with) Mazdas?

If this fringe site is to be believed, the Mazda corp. is using the name to push their own, non-Zoroastrian religion. If that’s true, I’d say they’d be upset :slight_smile:

Given that there’s a Federation of Zoroastrian Associations of North America, I’d say it’s safe to say some members are aware of the blasphemous vehicle.

You might try asking on the zoraostrian.net message board and chat room or on alt.religion.zoroastrianism.

Arjuna34

Are there any Romans upset over the commercialization of their harvest god’s name? Or their messenger god?

Two points to whoever know what I’m talking about.

Well, you could ask the followers at Nova Roma if they are concerned about Saturn and Mercury …

Arjuna34

OK someone has to say it…

What about CHRIST LER

Ha Ha Ha

:slight_smile:

The Zorroastrians, those guys who wear the black masks and carve Z’s with swords everywhere? Naw, they’re not upset, they’re mostly Hispanic Catholics.

Woh! I didn’t suspect that some people had resurected the Roman religion…
I guess I should makes myself High Priest of the Reformed Egyptian Religion before someone else uses this idea…

Umm… clairobscur, you’re too late.

http://www.netjer.org/home/
http://www.xeper.org

Aw, man! This is the second thread I’ve started recently where I’ll end up doing my own research.* Nuts!

Arjuna34, I took your advice and posted a query in alt.religion.zoroastrianism. (There had been a mention in an earlier discussion, but it mostly pointed out that “Mazda” technically means “wise,” not “light,” so it’s not even an obvious fit for a light bulb manufacturer.) I’ll let everyone know what responses I get.

*For all those waiting in breathless anticipation, I’ll try whey cream butter and post my reactions soon.

Interrobang!?, let us know if you get an answer!

Arjuna34

Interrobang, I’m a Zoroastrian, although I never went to our version of the Sunday school, and I don’t know all the details about the religion, so buyer beware…

Anyway, most Zoroastrians prefer the MPV vans because they have plenty of room for their capes and swords. :slight_smile:

Seriously though, “Ahura Mazdah” is just a name we use to refer to God when we talk religion, it doesn’t have any magical meanings and is not that sacred. So the Mazda cars are not in any way offensive or blasphemous to us. Of course there are a few hardline fundemantalists who get all huffed up about such things, but we just ignore those people.

AFAIK though, Mazda’s connection to our religion is just an urban legend. When I first heard the story, my own reaction was “cute.” Other Zoroastrians’ reactions, that I know of, are “hey, another fan of our religion,” or “woohoo, a Zoroastrian in Japan, who would’ve thunk!”

I’ve personally never owned a Mazda, but my parents have, and many other Zoroastrians in N.America have also. It’s just another make of car to us. The RX7’s are sweet though…

As far as Zoroastrianism itself, it’s a pretty relaxed religion, at least the modern N.American version is. It basically asks us to be nice people and respectful occupants of Earth and the universe and all: “good thoughts, good words, good deeds.” So as long as Mazda’s not hurting anyone or anything with their choice of name, it’s fine by us. Actually, getting pissed at them would be a violation of the “good thoughts” part, so it’s best to let them be.

Hope this helps.

So that’s what that lyric from “Glow little glow worm” meant! I always wondered about that. I kept thinking I must have mis-heard the tune.

http://www.summer.com.br/~pfilho/html/lyrics/g/glow_worm.txt

“Glow little glow-worm, turn the key on
You are equipped with taillight neon
You got a cute vest-pocket Mazda
Which you can make both slow and fazda
I don’t know who you took a shine to
Or who you’re out to make a sign to
I got a gal that I love so
Glow little glow-worm, glow
Glow little glow-worm, glow
Glow little glow-worm, glow
Glow little glow-worm, glow !!”

Transcriber’s Note: Mazda and "fazda* are pronounced as “mastuh” and “fastuh”
etc etc