Are religions psuedopsychology

Answer 1

To an extent, yes. Some religions were created because of the need to establish empire rather than to save the souls of mortal men. They have found ways to keep people dependent on scriptures that hold out promises of empire, or that promote and incite conflict with outsiders. Religion is holy for many who practice, but the underlying hold of religion is usually a desire to control.

Some religions are based on genuine supernatural phenomena that our science cannot explain, some encourage better human qualities, and could possibly endow those who practice them with self realisation.