Interesting post thanks. I definitely think that that is a part of why certain people act the way they do, but I'd question the suggestion that all Muslims who hold regressive views about homosexuals for example or who believe that women should have less rights than men are victims of this cult phenomenon.
Even if we are to accept that all Muslims who hold views that don't align with western Liberal values are somehow in thrall to thought leaders like imams, the question then becomes how we are to deal with it. My argument has always been that there should be greater security in mosques to guard against radical and regressive teachings, that reforming Muslims should be properly supported by European governments and the Islamic communities have their own part to play in recognising the issues within their communities and working with authorities to make it clear that radical Islam, sharia courts and the subjugation of women and minorities is unacceptable in Islam. Would you agree?
Thanks for the suggestion, I'll try and watch the documentary this week as I personally find this sort of stuff fascinating.