Highlights in Christianity: Jehovah’s Witnesses & Salvation Army

Throughout the years, different groups associated with Christianity have been created, which were meant to accommodate adherents that embraced slightly different views from other mainstream groups. In 1872, the Jehovah’s Witnesses were founded. The Salvation Army followed in 1878. In this article, you will learn more about these two popular religious groups.

1872 , The founding of Jehovah’s Witnesses takes place.

The founding of Jehovah’s Witnesses in the United States takes place in 1872 under the leadership of Charles Taze Russell. What makes the Jehovah’s Witnesses different from mainstream Christianity is that they uphold nontrinitarian beliefs and follow “millenarian restorationist” practices. There are a reported more than 7 million adherents associated with the religion. A group of elders in New York City make up the Governing Body of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which greatly influences adherents. They are in charge of making the final decision on all matters of doctrine.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses’ base their beliefs on how they interpret the Bible. A translation of their Bible is called the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures. They believe that the establishment of God’s kingdom on earth is the only solution to all the problems affecting the world. The religion was founded during the late 1870s when Charles Taze Russell created a Bible student movement group. From there, the Zion’s Watch Tower Tract Society was established that underwent a great deal of changes under the leadership of Joseph Franklin Rutherford. The name of the group (Jehovah’s Witnesses) was specifically chosen to set themselves apart from other Bible Student groups. It was adopted in 1931 and was influenced by the passage of Isaiah 43:10,12.

Adherents of the faith are known for using a door-to-door preaching approach, as they pass out their religious literature called The Watchtower and Awake! Some of the things that Jehovah’s Witnesses are known for doing are refusing military service and blood transfusions. They do not celebrate Christmas, Easter or birthdays. They also ignore other holidays and customs that they believe has pagan origins. Many Jehovah’s Witnesses consider others outside of their religion as morally corrupt and under the influence of Satan , some will completely limit their interaction and contact with non-Witnesses.

1878 , The Salvation Army is founded.

In 1878, William Booth and his wife from the United Kingdom becomes the founder of the Salvation Army. Nowadays, the Salvation Army in the United States is best known for its thrift stores and other programs that help the homeless. The Salvation Army is based on a Protestant Christian church that centers its practices on philanthropy and charity work. The organization touches upon more than 100 countries. The theology is based on the teachings of a mainstream Protestant faith.