You are right, as are your Parsi friends.

This religion is not a “pure dualistic” one (if that is the correct word), lol. There is more of an “ethical dualism” at play.

There is no conception anywhere that the evil modes of conscious or spirit are “equal” to the good. https://twitter.com/ibnulhind/status/1306262097433632774

It is ONLY that they attempt to corrupt, attack, and destroy what is Pure. Of course, they are always thwarted and can be thwarted by the power of the Divine, and ultimately they will be defeated during the Great Renewal (Frashokereti) of our Universe.

I should add that while daevas + ahriman, etc, are not “equal” (ie as in superiority and whatnot); they are only equal in terms of the direction/intent they are positioned towards.

Take Angra Mainyu + Spenta Mainyu. “Twin-spirits” as we say, not biological twins but rather

spiritual ones that vehemently oppose one another since the direction (form of expression) that they take is equal; although it is the one of virtue and progress that triumphs.

He is very much synonymous with ideas of “Satan/Shaytan” since those understandings had been influenced by the role and notion of Ahriman.

There is also a clear understanding that Ahriman/Angra Mainyu plays a role like a PARASITE. Only corrupting (draining of light) the Creation. Evil can’t create, only entangle and afflict.

Humans, as helpers and friends of Ahura Mazda, help to cultivate that which is inherently good (and has been so since the beginning) and eliminate the negative. That was the point of our existence, to fight evil as warriors of God.

I personally dislike that thread since

it makes it seem as if Ahriman + Ahura Mazda are co-equivalent “gods” that Zoroastrians had to be paranoid about which they were following or not.

We may strive for perfection and to cultivate the light within, but that’s not being a perfectionist or a form of paranoia: that’s called evolution and self-progression!

We want to be the best and most authentic, wisest, truthful person we can be.

Nothing was evil in the beginning.

We will return to that state.

So, to recap:

Good + Evil = equal modes of spiritual/conscious expression

Good = more powerful + potent

Evil = corruptive

Nothing was evil originally. The original creation in its entirety was GOOD. There was only good until evil became trapped and ran loose in our world.

OH, and ONE MORE important thing!!

GOODNESS IS INDEPENDANT FROM EVIL. Goodness DOES NOT need Evil to survive or exist. There is no “cosmic balance” other than the balance and harmony of Asha, that of pure good.