popular true Crime The docuseries about a suspected TikTok cult ended with a family reluctantly accepting that they had lost their loved one.
One of the final scenes in “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult” shows Miranda (Wilking) Derrick’s parents video chatting with their daughter, grandson and son-in-law, during which no one mentions the Los Angeles church and its leader, who are accused of running a cult of “brainwashed” dancers.
Miranda’s sister Melanie Wilking said she has accepted that her dream of marrying her sister will no longer be realised.
It seems as if the stormy sea has calmed down, but beneath the surface there is still a dangerous undercurrent swallowing us up. More victimsCult expert Dr. Steven Hassan warns.
Killer made video in prison explaining his ‘perverted logic’
Melanie Wilking (center) is with her parents in a 2022 Instagram Live video, desperately trying to get the attention of her sister, Miranda Wilking, to come home. (Melanie Wilking/Instagram)
On paper, Robert Shinn is a pastor Los Angeles Shekinah Church runs a dance production company that Miranda and her husband James Derrick (among others) work for.
But former members said Court filings Shin is a “self-proclaimed man of God” living a lavish life on the backs of brainwashed TikTok dancers who are sexually exploited and extorted.
The serial killer’s 18-acre estate still hides secrets
Following the release of Netflix’s “Dancing for the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult,” 7M Films said in a statement on Instagram that the docuseries is “a reprehensible work of fiction, born out of a failed extortion attempt.”
It was posted on June 4 and is still the only post on the account. The company did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
7M Films’ response to the Netflix documentary, which accused company chief Robert Shin and 7M of being a cult, is the only post on the company’s Instagram. (7m.films/Instagram)
Video: Melinda Wilking makes a Miranda plea with her parents
Hassan watched the three-part series, and said Shin and 7M have the hallmarks of a fast-growing “brainwashing cult” disguised as a religious movement called the “New Apostolic Reformation” (NAR).
“What sets them apart from the mainstream? Christian evangelist “The reason is that leaders claim to be apostles or prophets who receive revelation directly from God,” Hasan told Fox News Digital.
“In my opinion, these cult leaders say that God speaks directly to them, and they usually speak in tongues and claim to perform exorcisms and faith-based healing.”
Gabby Petito urges Brian Laundrie to ‘stop crying’ in love letter
All of these characteristics were described by former members who were interviewed in the documentary, as well as in court files obtained and reviewed by Fox News Digital.
“In operating his ‘church,’ Robert (Shinn) preached that without him (the former member suing him) and the other members of Shekinah would be cursed,” according to the lawsuit filed against Shinn, 7M and several others.
The legal action alleges that he convinced his members — and former members — that if they “did not completely submit to him, their lives and those of their families would be destroyed, and they would go to hell,” and that this was their “last chance” to go to heaven “by ecstasy.”
Miranda (Wilking) Derrick made her statement in an Instagram video on June 4. (itsmirandaderrick/Instagram)
The allegations were included in a third amended complaint filed in May, the latest part of a two-year-long legal battle between Shinn and seven former members of his church.
Shin struck first with charges of defamation and trade defamation in 2022, and the former members counter-sued with 52 charges, including fraud, human trafficking, forced labor, sexual harassment and unjust enrichment, which they claim spanned nearly 20 years.
Shinn argued in an unsuccessful effort to have the suit dismissed that as a religious organization they had protection under the First Amendment.
The two feuding parties are on a collision course, and a trial date has been set for July 5, 2025.
“In operating his ‘church,’ Robert (Shinn) preached that without him … Shekinah members would be damned … The Shekinah was a member’s last chance to get into heaven.”
Read: Lawsuit
Responses by Shim and Miranda (Wilking) Derrick
Though Shin has not publicly responded, he has denied the allegations in court documents. His company posted a June 4 statement on Instagram, threatening to take “all legal measures to stop the spread of obscene lies.”
Shin’s attorneys did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
Miranda, who features prominently in the Netflix docuseries, shared a lengthy Instagram message (below) on the same day that 7M Films released its statement.
The serial killer made a worrying purchase before the hunt
He said, “I am not a victim,” and insisted he had not been harmed. He described the documentary as a “public attack” that was “one-sided.”
Miranda said, “I love my mom, dad and Melanie and they will always be a part of my life. The truth is, at this point, we don’t agree with each other.”
“I rededicated my life to Christ in 2020 and asked for some time away from my family at the very beginning to collect my thoughts and reflect on the new journey I wanted to embark on with God.”
Miranda (Wilking) Derrick’s Instagram story, posted on June 4 in response to the Netflix docuseries. (itsmirandaderrick/Instagram)
Miranda (Wilking) Derrick’s Instagram story, posted on June 4 in response to the Netflix docuseries. (itsmirandaderrick/Instagram)
Miranda further added that she has been meeting with her family “to reconcile,” which was also mentioned in the docuseries, but her portrayal has “created another challenge” between her and her family.
“No one wants to be told that they are brainwashed/don’t have control over their life/keep themselves in a shell/are the daughter/sister of human trafficking when that is not true,” she said.
There is a great danger
Shinn, the Wilking family, and the Shekinah Church are cases that Hasson believes are part of the NAR.
Modern teachings include the “Seven Mountain Mandate”, which calls on followers to reclaim seven “mountains” of cultural influence: religion, family, government, education, media, arts/entertainment, and business.
The “Seven Mountains Mandate” is often abbreviated as “7M” in research papers and scholarly articles.
For more true crime stories from Fox News Digital, go here
Fox “True Crime Podcast with Emily Compagno” (Fox True Crime Podcast)
Justin Poythress, pastor of All Saints Church in Boise, Idaho, wrote a critique The “Seven Mountains Mandate” was talked about in a July 2023 blog post.
“At one level, the sphere of influence described by the 7M mandate is a good summary of the institutions that shape our culture,” Poythress wrote. “Any person of any conviction, whether conservative, liberal, Muslim, Jewish, or secular, naturally wants his or her values to be embraced and promoted across all seven ‘mountains.’”
Follow the Fox True Crime team on X
“But the 7M mandate goes further than that…. This perspective is ultimately based on a twofold misunderstanding of Scripture and of Christ’s purposes in the world.”
According to one study, its popularity will grow from 20 percent of American adults and 30 percent of American Christian adults in March 2023 to 41 percent by January 2024. Scholarly survey in May By Professor Paul Dupp of Denison University.
The popularity of the “New Apostolic Reformation” (NAR) will grow from 20 percent of American adults and 30 percent of American Christian adults in March 2023 to 41 percent by January 2024, according to a Scholarly survey conducted in May by Denison University professor Paul Dupp. (Paul A. Dupp, Denison University/Religion in Public)
Is there a criminal investigation going on?
The short answer is no.
The attorney general’s office said there were no written complaints in its office about 7M or Shin, and the Los Angeles district attorney’s office also did not immediately respond to questions.
Fox News Digital filed a public records request with the Los Angeles Police Department.
There is a Online petition The petition has collected more than 16,100 signatures, calling on law enforcement agencies to investigate and file criminal charges against Shin.
Click here to get the Fox News app
“It is time for justice,” the online petition states. “We cannot allow a person who preys on vulnerable individuals under the guise of religion to continue committing these heinous acts without consequence.
“Sign this petition to demand that law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles, California and Pacoima, California take immediate action to investigate Robert Shin and his crimes.”
TikTok did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
