Religion, cults, brainwashing, and pyramid schemes are just a few of the concepts that often come up in debates about cults. The term cult originally had a religious connotation, and in its earliest use it was not necessarily negative. In fact, many mainstream religions began as small, devoted groups that could have been described as cults in their formative stages. This historical context helps us draw connections between modern cults and the earliest documented religious movements. The author is a freelance writer who holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and an Associate’s Degree in Management Technology.