Pseudoreligion (or pseudotheology) is a generally pejorative term applied to a non-mainstream belief system or philosophy which is functionally similar to a religious practice, typically having a founder, principal text, liturgy and faith-based beliefs.

Belief systems such as Theosophy, corporate Kabbalism, The Nation of Islam, Scientology and Objectivism have all been referred to as pseudoreligions, as have various New Age religions. While the more serious-minded participants in these groups may prefer to consider themselves part of a proper religion or even non-religious philosophy, the mainstream ascribes to them fringe status.

Satirical, unserious, or parody religions, such as Discordianism, Church of the SubGenius, or the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster, have been viewed as pseudoreligions, particularly when members claim that their group is as real and/or as valid as other more widely accepted belief systems.

Pseudoreligions which are seen as dangerous, exploitive, secretive, or closed have been referred to as cults; others which as innocuous or inclusive, such as New Age movements or parody religions, as sub-cultures or cultural phenomena.

Some pseudoreligions may begin as splinters or hold-overs from traditional religions based in Apocryphal or Pseudepigraphical writings not accepted within the originating religion. Examples of this include the various sects of Gnosticism.

Professor James Carmine, chair of Carlow University's philosophy department, proposes a three-pronged test to distinguish "authentic" religions from pseudoreligions:

1. Any religion lacking a guiding coherent theology is a pseudo-religion.

2. Any religion entirely self referential is pseudo-religion.
3. Any religion whose only fruit is adherence to itself is pseudo-religion.''

Examples of pseudoreligions

Judeo-Christian pseudoreligions:

• Gnosticism, based on Greek philosophy, along with Jewish and Christian Apocrypha
• Corporate Kabbalism, based on Jewish mysticism

Invented pseudoreligions:

• Church of All Worlds, based on Robert Heinlein's science fiction novel Stranger in a Strange Land
• Raëlism, based on an extraterrestrial visit to Claude Vorilhon (Raël)
• Scientology, based on L. Ron Hubbard's lectures and writings

Philosophical pseudoreligions:

• Marxism, based on the writings of Karl Marx and later, Vladimir Lenin
• Theosophy, based on writings of "Madame" Helena Petrovna Blavatsky
• Randianism/Objectivism, based on writings of Ayn Rand

Parody or joke religions:

• Discordianism, based on writings of Kerry Thornley and friend Greg Hill
• MOOism, based on online virtual community
• Lachrymology, based on claims by band Tool

See also

• Approaches to distinguishing religion from non-religion
• Folk religion
• Legitimacy of Scientology as a religion
• New religious movements
• Parody religion
• Pseudophilosophy
• Pseudoscience
• Superstition

References

External links

• "Pseudo-Science and Pseudo-Theology: (A) Cult and Occult"; Bube, Dr. Richard A., Journal of the American Scientific Affiliation, Issue 29, March 1977.
• "Bad Religions and Good Religions"; Carmine, Professor James D, IntellectualConservative.com, 14 December 2005.