Messianism

Messianism is the belief in a messiah, a savior or redeemer. Many cults have a messiah concept, including Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism. The state of the world is seen as hopelessly flawed beyond normal human powers of correction and divine intervention through a specially selected and supported human is seen as necessary.

Political movements, such as Marxism and Zionism, may also contain messianic concepts, in which religious aspects are replaced with "scientific" or "historical" claims.