The controversy surrounding Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult has sparked a significant response, as many viewers have pointed out what they believe to be the most concerning aspect of the situation.
Netflix’s latest true crime documentary series investigates the multiple accusations against 7M Films, a TikTok dancer management company based in Los Angeles. The company is owned by Robert Shinn, who is also the pastor of Shekinah Church.
In Dancing for the Devil, ex-members come forward to assert that Shinn maintained a tight grip on the dancers, pressuring them to give a significant portion of their earnings to the church. According to director Derek Doneen, “His methods of manipulation and domination are similar to those of other cult leaders.”
Despite the numerous discussions surrounding the details exposed in the Netflix docu-series, one specific aspect has been brought to attention: the idea of individuals and their families going through a metaphorical “death”.
In Episode 1, the conversation turns to Miranda Derrick, a 7M star whose family initially accused the company of being a cult in 2022 after posting a plea on social media.
In both the clip and the docu-series, Miranda’s parents and her sister Melanie Wilking share their experiences of Miranda’s choice not to attend her grandfather’s funeral. Additionally, Melanie was previously part of the Wilking Sisters TikTok dancing duo with Miranda before joining 7M.
According to former 7M dancer Aubrey Fisher, the reason for her transformation was attributed to her having “died to herself.”Fisher elaborated that this entails letting go of one’s wants and needs, as they will eventually come back to life and be resurrected.
The next part of the sermon features an audio clip of Shinn emphasizing the importance of God’s message to “love one another, your family, your sister.”He clarifies that this love should not be limited to human love, but rather it should be the type of love that comes from God.
To become a disciple of Jesus, one must be willing to sacrifice their attachment to loved ones.
Kylie Douglas, who also left 7M, emphasizes, “One of the key lessons we gained is that sacrificing our own desires and separating ourselves from our family is necessary to ensure their salvation. When I say ‘salvation’, I am referring to their eventual journey to heaven.”
After 7M dancers began to leave the company, Shinn reversed his decision. This tactic was particularly troubling to many viewers.
On Reddit, a user questioned, “Did others view the individual as indecisive and strange when he first made the families ‘die’ and then changed his mind and allowed them to spend time together?”
Another person concurred, stating, “There were numerous warning signs, but that idea of ‘dying for your family’ is the most significant one. Are they suggesting that by cutting off communication with their families, they would secure their loved ones a day in heaven? That logic doesn’t add up!”
Melanie Wilking and her family spoke out about 7M in 2022
“Adding on to the conversation, a third person remarked, “That was so twisted,”while a fourth person noted that a “very common practice in cults”is to separate members from their loved ones.”
“Another individual added, “That is precisely why abusers prioritize isolating their victims. It is a form of complete and total brainwashing. After just finishing the film, my heart aches for the affected families.”
Some individuals are troubled by the revelation that a significant portion of the dancers’ earnings is being sent to the church.
One person exclaimed, “The amount of money was overwhelming. They were expected to give 10% as a tithe, another 10% as an offering, and then an additional 10% on top of that for management fees and production costs. And that wasn’t even taking into account taxes. Despite making a significant amount of money, these young individuals were not seeing any of it for themselves.”
“Somebody else added, “They also mentioned the rent they pay to reside in Robert’s property,”and a third person remarked, “It’s a perfect example of exploitation.”
You can currently watch Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult on Netflix. If you’re interested in more true crime content, you can also check out 50 Cent’s P Diddy documentary, find out how to watch the Burning Sun documentary in the US, and learn about the current status of Ashley Madison’s Sam and Nia Rader’s relationship.
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