Pseudoreligion
Pseudoreligion or pseudotheology is a pejorative for a non-mainstream belief-system or philosophy which is functionally similar to a religious movement, typically having a founder, principal text, liturgy and faith-based beliefs.
Belief systems such as Theosophy,
corporate Kabbalism,
Christian Science,
Scientology, Wahhabism, Salafism and the Nation of Islam
have all been referred to as pseudoreligions, as have various New Age religions, as well as political ideologies such as Nazism and Positive Christianity. Within the academic debate, political ideologies that resemble religion are sometimes referred to as political religions.
While the more serious-minded participants in these groups may prefer to consider themselves part of a proper religion, or not part of a religion at all, the mainstream ascribes to them a fringe status. Such groups as the Church of Scientology, the Raëlian Church and Heaven's Gate, seen as dangerous, exploitative, secretive, or closed, have been classified as pseudoreligious cults.
Splinter and modern movements that don't accept the Christian doctrine fully, material and formal heresy for example Gnostics, New Heathenery, Americanism, Community of the Lady of All Nations, Positive Christianity, Reincarnationism and Santa Muerte. All magical orders and secret society like Golden Dawn. Parody religion such as Church of the SubGenius.
Others may begin as splinters or hold-overs from traditional religions based in Apocryphal or Pseudepigraphical writings not accepted within the originating religion.
Examples of marginal movements with founding figures, liturgies and recently invented traditions that have been studied as legitimate social practices include various New Age movements, and millennaristic movements such as the Ghost Dance and South Pacific cargo cults.Quasi-religions
In 1963 Paul Tillich distinguished pseudo-religions from quasi-religions.
