Zoroastrianism

One of the oldest religions in the world, Zoroastrianism is perhaps the first true monotheistic faith and a cultural touchstone of Iran, where it originated and is mostly contained. Zoroastrianism is the probable origin of many of the beliefs held by monotheistic religions throughout the world.

Beliefs
Their theology revolves around the creator God Ahura Mazda (the Lord of Wisdom) and the opposing force Angra Mainyu (the Lord of Lies), two conflicting forces of good and evil in constant struggle. Their origin myth holds that the world was inherently good and created by Ahura Mazda, but assaulted and corrupted by Angra Mainyu to create the suffering and dangers known to all. Zoroastrians practice good words, good thoughts, and good deeds so that they might draw closer to Ahura Mazda and the Truth of existence, and be prepared for the final reckoning and remaking. The Zoroastrian view of the ultimate fate of the world is that a savior known as the Saoshyant will appear from a virgin birth and raise the dead to be cleansed with the living, and that the forces of Heaven will finally triumph and remove the corruption of the world to create a paradise for an immortal Humanity.

Organization
Zoroastrianism is generally formally organized with an ordained priesthood and a variety of rituals and hierarchy. Practical worship occurs within temples and around the sacred flames within kept burning since ancient times, with many traditions and sites in use thus being unimaginably old.