Pseudoreligion or pseudotheology is a pejorative term which is a combination of the Greek prefix "pseudo", meaning false, and "religion."
Illegal conduct cannot be excused by religious beliefs, and the law must be upheld even in morally complex situations.
[3] The term pseudoreligion derives from the Greek word pseúdos, meaning "lie" or "falsehood", and religion.
"[4] Nevertheless, some scholars have used the term,[4] such as historian Kees W. Bolle who argues that it is important to differentiate between a religion and a pseudo-religion.
"[7] Bruce Francis Biever defines a pseudoreligion as "a set of beliefs and practices which take on many of the aspects of religion, but which do not necessarily have all, or even the majority, of the characteristics".
[9] Author Garry Wills on the other hand, while acknowledging a tendency within certain groups to see a charismatic ruler as "superhuman", believes that "we should not quibble on theological matters like 'true religion' and 'pseudoreligion.