1906 - Religion

Religion

The French Army restores Capt. Dreyfus to rank and gives him the Légion d'Honneur July 12 following vindication of his case (see politics, 1898). Now 47, Dreyfus will live until 1935, but his case has left the bitter taint of anti-Semitism in France.

The American Jewish Committee is founded by U.S. Jews, mostly of German descent, to protect the civil and religious rights of Jews and to fight prejudice.

The Muslim League is founded by the 29-year-old Aga Khan (Aga sultan Sir Mahomed Shah) to safeguard the rights of Muslims in predominantly Hindu India. It will revise its goal in 1913 to favor self-government for India.

Pentecostalism establishes itself in April at Los Angeles, where Louisiana-born evangelist William J. (Joseph) Seymour, 36, has taken over a rundown building in Azusa Street and uses it for mass baptisms, attracting blacks like himself to have their souls "cleansed" by God (see Parham, 1900). Left blind in one eye by an attack of smallpox at Cincinnati, Seymour took offense at the racism of Charles Fox Parham, who did not permit blacks in his congregations. Parham hears of the revivalist meetings, travels to Los Angeles, denounces Seymour for involvement in spiritualism and hypnotism, abandons any leadership role, and will oppose efforts to organize Pentecostal churches. Seymour's baptismal rite is believed to prepare recipients for evangelism, and believers in Christ's imminent return will spread the message of "personal Pentecosts" throughout the world, focusing on Hebrews 1:8 and saying that they "take God at His word" and recognize the presence of the Holy Spirit (see Durham, 1911).

Utah authorities charge Mormon leader Joseph F. Smith with polygamy November 23 after his fifth wife gives birth to his 43rd child. Descended from the founder of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Smith pleads guilty and pays $300, the maximum fine, after telling the Salt Lake City district judge that he considers each of his marriages to be a solemn contract.