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 Christian Science or Nation of Islam have been referred to as pseudoreligions, as have various New Age religions, as well as political ideologies such as Nazism and Positive Christianity.

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.

Difference with religion
Pseudoreligion and religion are concepts at opposite ends of a spectrum. A pseudoreligion is a quasi-religious group led by a charismatic leader with unorthodox or extremist views, while religion involves belief in a divine power, ethics, and philosophy. These definitions aid in categorization but can lead to labeling and discrimination.

The U.S. Supreme Court defines religion, determining protected beliefs. All beliefs are protected under the First Amendment, but actions based on those beliefs are not if they involve illegal activities. Pseudoreligions claiming religious motivation for illegal acts do not necessarily receive protection.

There is no legal difference between a pseudoreligion and a religion. All beliefs should be protected equally, but the law must protect citizens from harm. Illegal conduct cannot be excused by religious beliefs, and the law must be upheld even in morally complex situations.

Quasi-religions
In 1963, German-American philosopher Paul Tillich introduced a distinction between pseudo-religions and quasi-religions. He described pseudo-religions as movements which intentionally deceive adherents through their similarities with mainstream religions, while quasi-religions are non-religious movements which have unintended similarities to religions.