Stausberg/Zarathustra, 7. Zoroastrian Influences on Judaism, Christianity and Islam

The encounter of religions and cultures presents a fascinating but difficult field of study. Fascinating from the perspective of the human capacity to create new cultural forms and reshape inherited traditions. Difficult because the consequences and the results of the encounter are extremely complex and hence intricate to analyse. The encounter itself takes place in many ways and with varying intensity. Wars and conquests represent violent ways of cultural encounter, trade and travels usually involve peaceful contacts. However, strong and intense encounters during a short period of time can be contrasted with occasional and superficial contacts which may last for several centuries.