Otherkin

[Threlizdun]

The term can encompass that, though generally it applies to people who identify with nonhuman beings for a personal or spiritual reason. While I've certainly heard of a few that fully claim to be what they identify with, all the ones I've met fully acknowledge their humanity, but just feel a connection to whatever they identify with.

Define this connection, if you would please.

Often it has something to do with the mythical depictions of animals or fictional beings in stories and folklore. I'm a furry, so it's a bit different, but I feel connected to the cleverness and individuality with a streak of mischief that is associated with weasels in traditional stories. There was a period where I became deeply interesting in neopagan spirituality and animism, so I began to identify with weasels as more or less an animal representation of my soul. I left the religious connections behind, though I still liked the metaphor, and adopted the animal persona as an idealized version of what I would like to be, being significantly more confident and assertive than I actually was. It's sort of a coping mechanism and mostly a metaphorical construct. So I'll say I identify with weasels and that it's a part of who I am, but I don't hold any illusions that I'm biologically anything other than human. From what I've gathered, otherkin are often similar in how they relate to their identity.

[Oil exporting People]

\Often it has something to do with the mythical depictions of animals or fictional beings in stories and folklore. I'm a furry, so it's a bit different, but I feel connected to the cleverness and individuality with a streak of mischief that is associated with weasels in traditional stories. There was a period where I became deeply interesting in neopagan spirituality and animism, so I began to identify with weasels as more or less an animal representation of my soul. I left the religious connections behind, though I still liked the metaphor, and adopted the animal persona as an idealized version of what I would like to be, being significantly more confident and assertive than I actually was. It's sort of a coping mechanism and mostly a metaphorical construct. So I'll say I identify with weasels and that it's a part of who I am, but I don't hold any illusions that I'm biologically anything other than human. From what I've gathered, otherkin are often similar in how they relate to their identity.

So is it something similiar to what Indians believe, if I'm correlating it correctly?

[Threlizdun]

\Often it has something to do with the mythical depictions of animals or fictional beings in stories and folklore. I'm a furry, so it's a bit different, but I feel connected to the cleverness and individuality with a streak of mischief that is associated with weasels in traditional stories. There was a period where I became deeply interesting in neopagan spirituality and animism, so I began to identify with weasels as more or less an animal representation of my soul. I left the religious connections behind, though I still liked the metaphor, and adopted the animal persona as an idealized version of what I would like to be, being significantly more confident and assertive than I actually was. It's sort of a coping mechanism and mostly a metaphorical construct. So I'll say I identify with weasels and that it's a part of who I am, but I don't hold any illusions that I'm biologically anything other than human. From what I've gathered, otherkin are often similar in how they relate to their identity.

So is it something similiar to what Indians believe, if I'm correlating it correctly?

It technically can be when combined with spirituality like that, though it varies from person to person. I've yet to see a single instance where it actually severely affected anyone's life, so it's generally just another harmless form of identity.

[Oil exporting People]

It technically can be when combined with spirituality like that, though it varies from person to person. I've yet to see a single instance where it actually severely affected anyone's life, so it's generally just another harmless form of identity.

If it's used in that sense I guess there's nothing wrong with it. I'm concerned with the people who actually think they're animals or such, because that implies to me a degree of mental instability.

[Rikatan]

That right there? Not what either of the Amerind things you mentioned are.

Yeah, what furryism is and what the Spirit Animal Amerind shamanism is, are two different things, very much so. I have nothing against the furry community, but their practices can't compare nor can they be equated to that of Native Americans concerning spirit animals.

Well, their 'practices' are the enjoyment of art that contains animals. If to draw = to be, then that's a strange philosophy.
Just because I draw animals (furry) doesn't mean I believe I am one (otherkin). Actually, most furries either have no idea of the existence of otherkin, and are surprised when they hear about the concept.

There is a huge distinction between furries, otherkin, and also fursuiting. People usually don't get it, which makes my explanations extremely simple. Draw, be, dress up.

I thought Otherkin were created because some LotR fans seriously thought they were elves on a spiritual level...

I'm talking about the "I'm a dog/cat/wolf/etc. with 'species dysphoria'" types.

Oh! Well, that's totally different. Not all otherkin are like that. If you look at the definition (on several websites, also), you'll see that it always says 'not human in spirit'. Wikipedia then gives the example of a 'symbolic metaphor'.

I can easily find an animal that I have a lot in common with (maybe coincidentally), and say 'I have a lot in common with this animal'. Then all it takes is a bit of obsessing and it counts.

[Ava Ire]

Adults = Human
Gay Adults = Human
Children = Human
Feral Children = Still Human
Otherkin = Still Human
Animals = Animals.

^Yes, this.

[Farnhamia]

People who actually believe they are anything but human are mentally ill and should be treated as such, not called "otherkin" and lumped in with the LBGT community.

*** Warned for trolling ***

[Egoman]

This thread cannot be saved from indefinite locking due to the amount of trolling happening.

[The Serbian Empire]

This thread cannot be saved from indefinite locking due to the amount of trolling happening.

Secondly, the topic brings strong emotions out of people due to the beliefs of some of the otherkin advocates.

[Cemoria]

It's quite dumb. Gender and species are two very different things. Gender isn't biological, it's psychological. You identify your gender by what you think you are.

Species is completely biological. I am not a fish, I do not have gills and fins. I am not an elephant, I don't have a trunk and ivory tusks. I am a human being, I have hair all over my body but it's thinner, lighter and less frequent on my arms legs and torso. I cannot say that I am a giraffe because neither of my parents were giraffes.

It's like when people try to identify with an ethnicity that they biologically are not.

I just try to ignore it though.

[Rikatan]

This thread cannot be saved from indefinite locking due to the amount of trolling happening.

Secondly, the topic brings strong emotions out of people due to the beliefs of some of the otherkin advocates.

Thirdly, people absolutely need to have a hateful opinion when they first hear about anything that isn't the norm. It's fun.

[Jute]

That's what they once said about sex

Sex is still a biological concept. I don't agree with the common notion that you can suddenly decide to be a woman one day because being a man doesn't "feel right". I know I'm gonna get loads of hate for this and probably called a troll, but what would an Internet thread be without its resident conservative, amirite?
It is my opinion that Transgendered people, are, for lack of a softer or more PC word, deranged. If you are born with a penis, you are a man. If you are born with a vagina, you are a woman. Both sexes have societal norms that, like many other societal norms, you are expected to deal with if not conform to. I simply fail to see what is the problem with this.
Now, don't misunderstand me. I still support transgendered people and call them their pronouns and stand up for the with the LGBT community. But do I understand it? No. Do I think it's okay for society? Not really.

And otherkin... Good lord. Same deal, just with way more insanity. While I was hesitant to call trans people mentally ill, I am perfectly okay with saying otherkin are completely insane and would do much better if they contacted a psychiatrist.

Intersexual
Also, what societal norms? They change over time anyway, why should you be expected to follow them completely if they are at odds with who you are and what your strengths are?

[Ayreonia]

Show me that species dysphoria is a real, actual and existing thing and I'll take them seriously.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Yeah, what furryism is and what the Spirit Animal Amerind shamanism is, are two different things, very much so. I have nothing against the furry community, but their practices can't compare nor can they be equated to that of Native Americans concerning spirit animals.

Well, their 'practices' are the enjoyment of art that contains animals. If to draw = to be, then that's a strange philosophy.
Just because I draw animals (furry) doesn't mean I believe I am one (otherkin). Actually, most furries either have no idea of the existence of otherkin, and are surprised when they hear about the concept.

There is a huge distinction between furries, otherkin, and also fursuiting. People usually don't get it, which makes my explanations extremely simple. Draw, be, dress up.

I'm talking about the "I'm a dog/cat/wolf/etc. with 'species dysphoria'" types.

Oh! Well, that's totally different. Not all otherkin are like that. If you look at the definition (on several websites, also), you'll see that it always says 'not human in spirit'. Wikipedia then gives the example of a 'symbolic metaphor'.

I can easily find an animal that I have a lot in common with (maybe coincidentally), and say 'I have a lot in common with this animal'. Then all it takes is a bit of obsessing and it counts.

I rather suspect, Rikatan ,that you didn't understand one word of my post. Drawing animals and Spirit Animal Shamanism are not the same. Furryism and Native American religious practices involving spirit animals are not the same thing.

As for Otherkin, there's a crossover between them and furries. In fact, there are furries who identify as otherkin and vise versa. Some furries hate that but the crossover between you happens.

[Aidannadia]

As for Otherkin, there's a crossover between them and furries. In fact, there are furries who identify as otherkin and vise versa. Some furries hate that but the crossover between you happens.

Generally, I've heard that otherkin don't like furries because they aren't as serious(and I'm sure there are a few other reasons that I can't remember atm) and furries don't like otherkin because they take it too seriously in their opinion.

[Furry Alairia and Algeria]

As for Otherkin, there's a crossover between them and furries. In fact, there are furries who identify as otherkin and vise versa. Some furries hate that but the crossover between you happens.

Generally, I've heard that otherkin don't like furries because they aren't as serious(and I'm sure there are a few other reasons that I can't remember atm) and furries don't like otherkin because they take it too seriously in their opinion.

Depends how ya view it.

Personally, when it comes to otherkin, I really should have just quit when it came to furries.

I knew this thread was going to turn into this kind of bull, why I joined was due to my ignorance, and to forgive is not within the boundaries of justification.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

As for Otherkin, there's a crossover between them and furries. In fact, there are furries who identify as otherkin and vise versa. Some furries hate that but the crossover between you happens.

Generally, I've heard that otherkin don't like furries because they aren't as serious(and I'm sure there are a few other reasons that I can't remember atm) and furries don't like otherkin because they take it too seriously in their opinion.

There's a definite bad blood too but apparently, there's also a lot of intermingling, with otherkin being invited as speakers at furry conventions.

Check Wikifur for more info.

[Shamhnan Insir]

Adults = Human
Gay Adults = Human
Children = Human
Feral Children = Still Human
Otherkin = Still Human
Animals = Animals.

^Yes, this.

Adults = Animals
Gay Adults = Animals
Children = Animals
Feral Children = Animals
Otherkin = Mythical Animals
Animals = Animals

Take away the gloss and we are all still animals.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Generally, I've heard that otherkin don't like furries because they aren't as serious(and I'm sure there are a few other reasons that I can't remember atm) and furries don't like otherkin because they take it too seriously in their opinion.

Depends how ya view it.

Personally, when it comes to otherkin, I really should have just quit when it came to furries.

I knew this thread was going to turn into this kind of bull, why I joined was due to my ignorance, and to forgive is not within the boundaries of justification.

Alairia, trust me, this is not about you.

[Egoman]

^Yes, this.

Adults = Animals
Gay Adults = Animals
Children = Animals
Feral Children = Animals
Otherkin = Mythical Animals
Animals = Animals

Take away the gloss and we are all still animals.

Animals, you say?

[Furry Alairia and Algeria]

Depends how ya view it.

Personally, when it comes to otherkin, I really should have just quit when it came to furries.

I knew this thread was going to turn into this kind of bull, why I joined was due to my ignorance, and to forgive is not within the boundaries of justification.

Alairia, trust me, this is not about you.

I'm not making this about myself, really the only point I expected most people to focus on it with the small grain of salt is the "Depends how you view it" and dismiss the rest as bull.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Alairia, trust me, this is not about you.

I'm not making this about myself, really the only point I expected most people to focus on it with the small grain of salt is the "Depends how you view it" and dismiss the rest as bull.

Eh, it's NS. Dismissing the rest is not something everyone will do.

[Furry Alairia and Algeria]

I'm not making this about myself, really the only point I expected most people to focus on it with the small grain of salt is the "Depends how you view it" and dismiss the rest as bull.

Eh, it's NS. Dismissing the rest is not something everyone will do.

The truth is stunning, speaking metaphorically, however we should probably digress.

[Nanatsu no Tsuki]

Eh, it's NS. Dismissing the rest is not something everyone will do.

The truth is stunning, speaking metaphorically, however we should probably digress.

You're correct in saying that it all depends. Like I said, the crossover is there, despite the bad blood. Some otherkin identify as furry, some furries as otherkin. But sure, it's about who the point of view belongs to. As an outsider, I don't exactly see the similarities but eh.

[Furry Alairia and Algeria]

The truth is stunning, speaking metaphorically, however we should probably digress.

You're correct in saying that it all depends. Like I said, the crossover is there, despite the bad blood. Some otherkin identify as furry, some furries as otherkin. But sure, it's about who the point of view belongs to. As an outsider, I don't exactly see the similarities but eh.

As an insider of both, I honestly rather keep the two apart for the rest of their lives and never see each other, though that's just fiction in the works, rather than reality.

It just puts the lit match onto the gasoline of drama.