Thus Spoke Zarathustra

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The prophet Zarathustra descended from the mountains after ten years of isolation. He has descended to teach the masses about the overman, and the belief system that accompanies him. Nietzsche, through Zarathustra, is offering a new value system to replace Christianity. This value system can be referred to as ‘Zarathustraism’. A vital part to embracing this value system is the deconstruction of Christianity. Man has redefined Christianity to better suit personal desire, and it has begun to fail as a result. Zarathustraism will teach Man to live in the light of the Overman, free of the negativity Christianity caused.
Zarathustra has learnt the nature of God. In the time he spent in solitude, the prophet has acquired the knowledge that “God is dead” (Z Pro. 2), a controversial idea for the time. Humanity has killed God, for their love of science and inquiry made theism inconsequential. “You great star! What would your happiness be, had you not those for whom you shine?” (Z Pro. 1) speaks Zarathustra as he watches the sun rise. This alludes to why God has succumbed. Those who believed in God gave Him life, and those who did not contributed to His death.
One thing that becomes apparent in Zarathustra’s beliefs is the push towards having only a single virtue. “I love him who does not desire too many virtues. One virtue is more of a virtue than two, because it is more of a knot for one's destiny to cling to” (Z Pro. 4). Christianity is filled with many testaments that restrain the believers, but this belief system implies an elastic moral code that would not grow old. The many laws of Christianity have been interpreted differently for over two thousand years. A self-defined virtue will only ever be interpreted by he who ...

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...ut they will eventually be able to reach this point. Zarathustra will gain respect for Man and vacate his adopted leadership role.
Zarathustrianism is Nietzsche’s way of offering humanity a relief from Christianity. Nothing has resulted in more death throughout recorded human history than religion. Replacing religion with Zarathustrianism would have people bettering themselves for the sake of betterment. Christianity has mortals living for an immortal life, and Zarathustraism has immortals (in the scope of the eternal recurrence) living for the present. A widespread, united belief system centered around bettering the spirit would shape the world in a more positive way. Zarathustrianism has the potential to unite the world under a single belief system, while having the elasticity to preserve cultural differences in a way that Christianity has been unable to do.

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