Post by Rakehel on May 10, 2021 10:43:39 GMT -5
Yezidism
12-24-05, 08:27 AM
History: Yezidis are a Kurdish sect, named after their alleged founder Yezid, also know as the Umayyad Caliph. They revere the Prophet Mohammed and the Sufi mystic Adi Musafir. Musafir was a descendent of the Umyyad Caliphs (Kalifs). Adi is believed to have written many of the Yezidi Holy texts and is thought to be the most likely originator of the faith. The religion is mentioned in Islamic writings as early as the fourteenth century, but scholars have also linked it to Mithraism, Zoroastrianism, and also Iraqi Buzzard worshippers. Yezidi comes from the Arabic word for angel.
Current Leader/Governing Body: Rulership is hereditary and comes through the seven priestly lineages of Kurdish rulers.
Number of Followers: It is estimated that there are sixty-thousand followers in Iraq and Syria, and 200,000 followers worldwide.
Clergy: The clergy are patterned after the Islamic hierarchy of Sheiks and Mullas. The Pirs are the priests, Kawals the traveling preachers, kocheks are considered the ecstatics and soothsayers, and the Murids are the laymen who give financial support.
Membership Requirements: Yezidi will often proselytize and have converted many Christians and Muslims over the years. Recently, Arabic governments have made efforts to ostracize the Yezidis and their numbers have been dwindling.
Scriptures: No specific Yezidi Holy text is known of, but information about Yezidi practices is contained in the Mes?haf i Resh (?black book?) thought to have been written by Adi?s son. The Jelwa, or ?book of revelation?, is a brief preachment attributed to Adi.
Symbols: The peacock is the most recognized Yezidi symbol. It is often represented in bronze icons.
Required Rituals/Diet Restrictions: Unknown at this time.
Teachings/Beliefs: Yezidi beliefs are a mixture of Islam, and contain Gnostic, Jewish, and Shamanistic elements. Angels are a central focal point and worship centers are built around them. The most important Yezidi worship center is called Melek Taus, or the "Peacock Angel", also known as Lucifer. Lucifer has a different role in Yezidism than he does in Christianity, although there are some similarities. He is considered to be the chief Archangel and also the creator of the material world.
In Yezidi belief, Lucifer is not a fallen angel or the enemy of God. Yezidis believe that the universal Spirit (the Supreme Deity) created a pearl, which became broken after forty thousand years. Melek (Lucifer) used the fragments of the pearl to create the material world. After the material world was created the Spirit created the rest of the angels. Yezidi theology states that Lucifer was forgiven for any transgressions and that those who revere him are the spiritual elect of humanity. They are even forbidden to refer to him as Satan.
Yezidis believe that time is divided into six Epochs, and each Epoch has an Avatar (Archangel). During the first Epoch, the material world and humankind were created. The Yezidi story of the creation of man follows the Judeo-Christian beliefs of the story of Adam and Eve. The exception is that Satan is portrayed as a wise teacher instead of a tempter.
Holidays: Jam is the most important Feast day. This is a time when the various Yezidi groups come together at Lalish, the burial place of Adi. During the Jam, the Peacock icon, which represents Malek Taus, is presented to the worshipers during a seven-day celebration. Jam coincides with an ancient Zoroastrian feast holiday. That coincidence, along with many others, has caused scholars to often link the two religions.
Myths/misconceptions: The Yezidi have long been accused of ?Devil worship? due to misunderstandings about the way in which they include Lucifer in their beliefs.
yeziditruth.org (Caution: Non-HTTPS site)
12-24-05, 08:27 AM
History: Yezidis are a Kurdish sect, named after their alleged founder Yezid, also know as the Umayyad Caliph. They revere the Prophet Mohammed and the Sufi mystic Adi Musafir. Musafir was a descendent of the Umyyad Caliphs (Kalifs). Adi is believed to have written many of the Yezidi Holy texts and is thought to be the most likely originator of the faith. The religion is mentioned in Islamic writings as early as the fourteenth century, but scholars have also linked it to Mithraism, Zoroastrianism, and also Iraqi Buzzard worshippers. Yezidi comes from the Arabic word for angel.
Current Leader/Governing Body: Rulership is hereditary and comes through the seven priestly lineages of Kurdish rulers.
Number of Followers: It is estimated that there are sixty-thousand followers in Iraq and Syria, and 200,000 followers worldwide.
Clergy: The clergy are patterned after the Islamic hierarchy of Sheiks and Mullas. The Pirs are the priests, Kawals the traveling preachers, kocheks are considered the ecstatics and soothsayers, and the Murids are the laymen who give financial support.
Membership Requirements: Yezidi will often proselytize and have converted many Christians and Muslims over the years. Recently, Arabic governments have made efforts to ostracize the Yezidis and their numbers have been dwindling.
Scriptures: No specific Yezidi Holy text is known of, but information about Yezidi practices is contained in the Mes?haf i Resh (?black book?) thought to have been written by Adi?s son. The Jelwa, or ?book of revelation?, is a brief preachment attributed to Adi.
Symbols: The peacock is the most recognized Yezidi symbol. It is often represented in bronze icons.
Required Rituals/Diet Restrictions: Unknown at this time.
Teachings/Beliefs: Yezidi beliefs are a mixture of Islam, and contain Gnostic, Jewish, and Shamanistic elements. Angels are a central focal point and worship centers are built around them. The most important Yezidi worship center is called Melek Taus, or the "Peacock Angel", also known as Lucifer. Lucifer has a different role in Yezidism than he does in Christianity, although there are some similarities. He is considered to be the chief Archangel and also the creator of the material world.
In Yezidi belief, Lucifer is not a fallen angel or the enemy of God. Yezidis believe that the universal Spirit (the Supreme Deity) created a pearl, which became broken after forty thousand years. Melek (Lucifer) used the fragments of the pearl to create the material world. After the material world was created the Spirit created the rest of the angels. Yezidi theology states that Lucifer was forgiven for any transgressions and that those who revere him are the spiritual elect of humanity. They are even forbidden to refer to him as Satan.
Yezidis believe that time is divided into six Epochs, and each Epoch has an Avatar (Archangel). During the first Epoch, the material world and humankind were created. The Yezidi story of the creation of man follows the Judeo-Christian beliefs of the story of Adam and Eve. The exception is that Satan is portrayed as a wise teacher instead of a tempter.
Holidays: Jam is the most important Feast day. This is a time when the various Yezidi groups come together at Lalish, the burial place of Adi. During the Jam, the Peacock icon, which represents Malek Taus, is presented to the worshipers during a seven-day celebration. Jam coincides with an ancient Zoroastrian feast holiday. That coincidence, along with many others, has caused scholars to often link the two religions.
Myths/misconceptions: The Yezidi have long been accused of ?Devil worship? due to misunderstandings about the way in which they include Lucifer in their beliefs.
yeziditruth.org (Caution: Non-HTTPS site)
