The word "Cult" hasn't always had such a negative connotation. Many religions would have been considered cults when they began. By the end of the 19th century many visionaries had revealed radically new religious systems, claiming immunity from the impurities of old ones (Powers, 1997). These were nothing more than a group of people who organized themselves in worship and devotion for a person, an object or a movement. They practiced rituals different from other “traditional” religions, and were therefore considered sects. Nowadays, when people hear the word “Cult”, they immediately think of brainwashing, bombings, murders and people who have distanced themselves from our society. This is mainly due to what happened in the past with cults. Cults such as the Anthills, the snake handlers, the people's temple and one of the most famous, the Manson family. Some, like the snake handlers, had strange and dangerous rituals. Others, like the Peoples Temple, ended in mass suicides. And then there are those like the Manson family, who brutally murder innocent people. They all started with a leader, who preaches their extreme beliefs to others. From this a group of members is formed and the cult is created. To lure people into their dark world, both violent and nonviolent cults often target emotionally confused or distraught people (Fennel, 1993). Linda James, a clinical psychologist in Montreal, says that in some cases cults become families for the most vulnerable while offering the fulfillment of the individual's fantasies. James explains: “They can offer wealth or a perfect relationship” (1993). The conceptualization of affiliation as brainwashing has been an influential theory of involvement in nontraditional religions… half of the paper… not in a new religious movement: from discovery to disenchantment. Retrieved from: Journal of Spirituality in Mental Health, 13:2–21, 2011Spence, J.C. (1975). Helter Skelter (book review). Excerpt from: American Bar Association Journal; August 75, vol. 61 Issue 8, p928, 2pFennel, T. (1993). Nightmarish tales. Excerpt from: Maclean's; 8/2/93, vol. 106 Issue 6, p26, 2p, 2 color photographs.Sanders, E. (2002). The family. Donald, C. & Robbins, T. (1982). The new vigilantes. Deprogrammers, anti-cults and new religions (book review). Excerpt from: Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion; Mar82, vol. 21 Issue 1, p80-81, 2p.Powers, R.L. (1997). Worship, culture and cultivation: the contribution of individual psychology. Excerpt from: Individual Psychology: The Journal of Adlerian Theory, Research & Practice; March 97, vol. 53 Number 1, p9, 14p