OtherKin

[Erebus]

I wonder how many animals out there think they're really human on the inside.

My dog for one. If he could have his way, he'd spend his days sat watching TV with a pizza and a beer.

Azakel and Painted Wolf:
I apologise if it's been discussed already (I've not read every page of this thread) but what was "awakening" like for you? I'm interested to hear any details you feel comfortable discussing.

 

[Azakel]

I apologise if it's been discussed already (I've not read every page of this thread) but what was "awakening" like for you? I'm interested to hear any details you feel comfortable discussing.

I would be glad to share. But it will have to what till tomorrow when I have cooled off and am feeling better.

 

[painted wolf]

I wonder how many animals out there think they're really human on the inside.

Lucy Tamerlin is one example.
Lucy Temerlin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

wa:do

 

[painted wolf]

Azakel and Painted Wolf:
I apologise if it's been discussed already (I've not read every page of this thread) but what was "awakening" like for you? I'm interested to hear any details you feel comfortable discussing.

From the Therian thread here: http://www.religiousforums.com/forum/theological-concepts/93710-therians-2.html

How I knew what I was is a complicated question.... I grew up knowing that something was 'different' about me, but not really knowing what. I was lucky to be able to grow up spending my summers and winter breaks essentially in the wild. While some kids built forts, I built dens... I didn't realize that was what they were until later (I thought of them as 'forts'). Forts generally are not grass lined scrapes under large rocks, just large enough to fit comfortably in.
I could run just as fast on all fours as on two feet (and often did).

I often felt uncomfortable in my body... and still do. It's odd to look in the mirror and not really connect to what you see reflected back to you. I've frequently wanted the old horror movies to be real and to be able to change my body to reflect my real self. I realize this isn't possible and I've made peace with that. (and no, I'm not into beastality... unless my attraction to my mate equates to a sort of reverse bestiality)

I always knew that what I was doing was "wrong" somehow... and that I shouldn't let anyone know about it... unless we were "playing" animals... or later playing "monsters". As I got older I tried to stop, several times... but I always 'relapsed' into my comfortable animal ways. And always made sure that I was safely out of view of anyone who might discover my secret.

I even hid it from my mate at first... I didn't want her to reject me for being 'crazy'. (Ironically she was doing the same thing... but she was transgendered) We came out to each other around the same time and we have often talked about how parallel our experiences were growing up.

She is in transition which is wonderful... now she can live full time as she truly is. I have a significant measure of peace knowing I don't have to hide my nature from her and our home is my safe space. I do have to admit that I now worry a bit about how to be around my son. I don't want him to be like me... I want him to be "normal"

How did I know I was a wolf?
I was watching a nature show about endangered animals (back in the 1980's when it was a larger issue)... whale hunting, elephant hunts and so on... they got to Alaskan aerial wolf hunting and something inside me clicked.
I started howling and so forth in reaction. It was quite a while before I came out of it.
That was when I realized something was..... odd. It took more than a few years thereafter to come to terms with it.

wa:do

 

[KatNotKathy]

Lucy Tamerlin is one example.
Lucy Temerlin - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

wa:do

This does own and I fully support great ape personhood, it should be noted that Lucy was raised as if she were a human.

Were you raised by wolves?

 

[painted wolf]

]
Were you raised by wolves?

If I were would I be typing this now?

Perhaps you need another drink.

wa:do

 

[KatNotKathy]

Perhaps you need another drink.

wa:do

Now we're talking!

But really, I hadn't heard of any real reversed "feral human" situations like that where an animal was actually raised and socialized as a human. Just further solidified my opinion that chimps deserve human rights too.

 

[croak]

You gave a couple of examples that where a little lackluster but still not something no one in their right mind would choose like a dung beetle. Think of the infinite amount of dead animal souls out there are you telling me not one therian is going to be connected to an earwig or something? Like I said seems mighty convenient but if it helps you, it helps you.

I don't want to encourage debate or anything, but you mentioned earwings and, well:

Some theriotypes.

And, by golly, there is an earwig. &#58 And a bighorn sheep, deer, clouded leopard, crow, lioness.. and many, many others.

 

[KatNotKathy]

Now here's the real question I'm sure is on everybody's mind even though nobody wants to ask it.

If somebody is an animal, can we eat them? I assume you'd need the proper hunting (or possibly fishing I guess?) licenses, but it sounds like a good theme for a cannibal resort.

 

[Breathe]

-- Mod Post --

This is a discussion zone, not a debate zone.

Staff ask that members who do not subscribe to these beliefs keep to posting respectful questions only. Mocking, rude statements and questions, or further debating in this thread will not be tolerated.

-- End of Mod Post --​

 

[Azakel]

Now here's the real question I'm sure is on everybody's mind even though nobody wants to ask it.

If somebody is an animal, can we eat them? I assume you'd need the proper hunting (or possibly fishing I guess?) licenses, but it sounds like a good theme for a cannibal resort.

What you still fail to understand is that we are still a Human-Animal physically. Unless you can get a licenses to hunt and kill another human, which doubt.

 

[painted wolf]

If somebody is an animal, can we eat them? I assume you'd need the proper hunting (or possibly fishing I guess?) licenses, but it sounds like a good theme for a cannibal resort.

If someone is a troll, do we get to poke them with sharp sticks? :troll:

Here is a real question: Is "Clinical Lycanthropy" simply a medical diagnosis or could there be more to it?

wa:do

 

[Baydwin]

Here is a real question: Is "Clinical Lycanthropy" simply a medical diagnosis or could there be more to it?

I was going to ask something similar.
For you it is clearly a spiritual matter, but if you were to step outside of yourself and try to analyze the phenomena from a purely biological perspective, what do you think your conclusions would be as to its probable cause?

 

[painted wolf]

I was going to ask something similar.
For you it is clearly a spiritual matter, but if you were to step outside of yourself and try to analyze the phenomena from a purely biological perspective, what do you think your conclusions would be as to its probable cause?

As I've pointed out.... it's a question of brain chemistry. It may have to do with Serotonin but it still isn't well studied. Perhaps it's eppigenetic and is a result of parental womb chemistry?

Likely it's a combination of factors.

I have adapted it as a part of my spirituality... because it was necessary to do so.

wa:do

 

[KatNotKathy]

Ok not trolling this time. What sort of scientific studies regarding this phenomenon are out there? The idea that it's anything like being transgender strikes me as ridiculous, but I'm willing to listen to science. For instance, there are brain studies showing that transgender folks have brain pathways more like those of their mental gender than their physical sex.

I mean, I figure if there's something out there you would know about it, seeing as you're one of the more scientifically-literate members here.

 

[Erebus]

Ok not trolling this time. What sort of scientific studies regarding this phenomenon are out there? The idea that it's anything like being transgender strikes me as ridiculous, but I'm willing to listen to science. For instance, there are brain studies showing that transgender folks have brain pathways more like those of their mental gender than their physical sex.

I mean, I figure if there's something out there you would know about it, seeing as you're one of the more scientifically-literate members here.

I know that clinical lycanthropy is thought to be strongly connected with schizophrenia, depression and similar disorders*, so there would be a chemical factor involved there (dopamine/serotonin imbalances etc as PW pointed out). I'm not sure that otherkin/therians are the same thing though? Clinical lycanthropy really is very rare, and I think it involves delusions about the physical form, so I don't know how close it comes to describing therianism.

*No disrespect intended by this, only going off the few studies done on it.

 

[painted wolf]

Ok not trolling this time. What sort of scientific studies regarding this phenomenon are out there? The idea that it's anything like being transgender strikes me as ridiculous, but I'm willing to listen to science. For instance, there are brain studies showing that transgender folks have brain pathways more like those of their mental gender than their physical sex.

I mean, I figure if there's something out there you would know about it, seeing as you're one of the more scientifically-literate members here.

Thank you... though frankly I doubt anything I can offer you in the way of research will help. You have clearly demonstrated your views on the subject regardless of the input of others.
http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/118743249/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0
Lycanthropy: New Evidence of Its Origin
Lycanthropy: alive and well in the twentieth centu... [Psychol Med. 1988] - PubMed result
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...inkpos=2&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmed
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...inkpos=5&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmedhttp://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/...inkpos=5&log$=relatedreviews&logdbfrom=pubmed

*No disrespect intended by this, only going off the few studies done on it.

None taken... There are very few studies, which makes rigorous study difficult.
I can't speak about other experiences... but I'd like to think I'm not schizophrenic. (How would I know without a brain scan? I also don't have other symptoms)
Delusional... perhaps, but why this particular delusion?

wa:do

 

[Hachan]

I was delighted to discover this topic being discussed by people here and would very much like to continue the topic.

It is extremely important to develop the vocabulary surrounding this topic so that communicating these ideas to people who have not experienced the phenomenon can understand.

From my own religious tradition the soul is called the "Ruh" not to be confused with the Nefesh (Psyche). It is the conflict between the Psyche and the Ruh which is at the root of all psychological issues people can suffer from. Being able to identify that one's Ruh is as a Jin (i.e. animal souls) is extremely important in being able to overcome some of these conflicts.

I am supposing that in this discussion, Otherkin must include Vampires. But then what term is given to the super-category which includes Therians and Otherkin to describe people who have the experience that we are one or other particular type of lifeform inhabiting human bodies in order to live among humans for one reason or another?