What are the features of a cult?

Characteristics of a cult - the cult personality. A cult member's beliefs, ideas, world view, thought processes, decision making, emotions and behaviors are all altered on being recruited into the group. All this is done very intentionally by the cult leader.

What is the legal definition of a cult?

There is actually not a clearly defined legal definition for the term “cult.” Instead, it is generally derived from the somewhat pejorative use typical in news media coverage of non-mainstream religious groups.

Is there connection between the words "cult" and "culture"?

Cult is a related term of culture. As nouns the difference between cult and culture is that cult is (offensive|derogatory) a group of people with a religious, philosophical or cultural identity sometimes viewed as a sect, often existing on the margins of society or exploitative towards its members while culture is the arts, customs, and habits that characterize a particular society or nation.