Understanding the Impact of Cults

Restlessness enveloped me as I pondered the memories of my former cult, drowning in feelings of shame, regret, and frustration. This was triggered by watching the Netflix documentary series, Dancing with the Devil: The 7M TikTok Cult. One striking scene depicted a massage table in a serene room, while Priscylla Lee narrates pastor Robert Shinn's unsettling instructions regarding inappropriate touches.

My own spiritual mentor had similarly lured women into compromising situations under the guise of simple massages, citing ailments like a sore neck or tense shoulders. These encounters often took place in his bedroom, a space where he exerted control and influence over us.

Initially, he wouldn’t force new followers into sexual acts; instead, he showered them with compliments and promises. Once they felt special or in need of the healing he claimed to provide through intimacy, they often succumbed to his advances. Yet, the truth was that they were not unique; they were merely part of a larger pattern of e