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Why did Zoroastrianism teach that human beings must choose between good and evil?

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Zoroastrianism teaches that human beings must choose between good and evil because the religion is fundamentally rooted in a dualistic cosmology where a good force, personified by Ahura Mazdā, and an evil force, personified by Angra Mainyu, struggle for mastery of the universe.12

This ethical framework posits that human beings possess the capacity for free choice. Because the world is viewed as an arena where these two opposing principles contend, individuals are bound to decide which side to align with. This choice is not merely a theoretical exercise; it carries profound moral responsibility. By choosing good deeds, righteous persons (ashavan) earn an everlasting reward of integrity and immortality, while those who opt for the "Lie" (Druj) face the consequences of their decision.312

Ultimately, this doctrine emphasizes that human beings are responsible for their own fates, as their actions and allegiances determine their standing in the cosmic struggle between light and darkness.2