Project Pawprint

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People who responded to the following question and answer - answered the rest of the questions in the following manner

This is a check box type question. Thus, there may be more boxes selected other than your target

What kind of shifts do you experience?

Other

All Project Comments

Project Pawprint

Choice

Total

Percent

1. What name would you like to appear if we use your answer? (if you do not want to give out a name please put anonymous.) (Required)

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - Raccoon
(604549) - Earth Listener
(594621) - Diretooth
(558899) - Shuriken
(547703) - Juneau
(538173) - Ulfric
(538172) - Ulfric
(487512) - Agita
(486518) - Serpentine
(486048) - Lanina
(485517) - Raizer

2. What is your theriotype? (Required)

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - Heh, raccoon.
(604549) - Gray Wolf and a nonexistent species of shark
(594621) - Wolf, Possibly what some know as a 'dire wolf' due to my occasional berserking.
(558899) - Japanese Raven Spirit (Karasu Tengu)
(547703) - Eastern Wolf
(538173) - Male Melanistic Grey Wolf
(538172) - Male Melanistic Grey Wolf
(487512) - Mexican Wolf
(486518) - "Cobrasaur"; serval
(486048) - Wolf
(485517) - Cougar

3. Are you a therian or otherkin or something else?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - Therian is the closest approximation to it.
(604549) - Yes, I identify as therian.
(594621) - That depends. I am a Therian, but view myself as Otherkin as well. I see both as equal and I often will refer to both as just 'Kin'.
(558899) - I consider myself Otherkin.
(547703) - I am a therian.
(538173) - Suntherian
(538172) - Suntherian
(487512) - I am a therian
(486518) - therian
(486048) - Yes, I am a therian
(485517) - Therian

4. What do you think of Project Pawprint?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - I think it's a great idea in theory. But I really hope you cover the entire spectrum of therians and not just wolves and big cats.
(604549) - I love it. I hope one day it might be fully realized.
(594621) - I'm not so sure...
(558899) - I think it is a very interesting idea and I hope it ends up working out. It will be interesting to see what happens when mentions of therians and otherkin becomes more than just an aside in some documentaries or news stories.
(547703) - I think it's a magnificent project and will really help people understand what therians are truely like.
(538173) - This is a wonderful project, and it will really help the community to come closer together.
(538172) - This is a wonderful project, and it will really help the community to come closer together.
(487512) - I am glad that therians are producing this to show us in a positive light, giving people some insight into what is a very real experience for many and not some roleplay fantasy. This project won't be 'sensationalised' as some material produced by nontherians.
(486518) - I'm interested to see where it goes, but disappointed that so many people have lost faith in it.
(486048) - Interesting, hopefully it will be completed
(485517) - A novel thing that could prove to be useful in years to come

5. Do you support the project?

Yes

100%

Total Number of Choices

6. What is your gender? (Required)

Male

25%

Female

42%

MtF

FtM

Other

33%

Total Number of Choices

7. Do you plan on submitting anything to the project? You can use the website www.projectpawprint.com or email to projectpawprint@gmail.com

Yes

36%

64%

Total Number of Choices

8. If you wanted to ask a question to another therian what would it be? (Required)

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - What Jungian archetype do you identify with most and how do you feel it reflects your therianthropy?
(604549) - “What are your experiences with your own therianthropy?”
(594621) - Do you think that if P-Shifting were possible with the use of different types of energies (Magical, Natural, Spiritual, ect.)?
(558899) - I would want to know what lead them to the discovery or active recognition of the species of their spirit.
(547703) - How skeptical are you when someone tells you that they are a therian?
(538173) - Did you show signs of therianthropy as a child?
(538172) - Did you show signs of therianthropy as a child?
(487512) - Do you act like an animal because you think you 'should', or do you act first and ask yourself why you howled later?
(486518) - Do you think you learned more about yourself when you took some time alone, or did you prefer to talk it out with others?
(486048) - How does it affect your everyday life?
(485517) - "Why can't man be more like animals?" (Pink Panther's only sentence)

9. What is your current religion, if any?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - None
(604549) - Pagan Animist
(594621) - Christian.
(547703) - Currently, I'm a Christian.
(538173) - Eclectic Witchcraft
(538172) - Eclectic Witchcraft
(487512) - Non-denominational Christianity
(486518) - Unitarian Universalist
(486048) - Asatru / Forn Sidr
(485517) - None. Why settle on one when you can have your own?
(485366) - No religion

10. What do you think of P-shifting? Please give your honest answer. You're answers will not be held against you in any way.

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - It's impossible to do unless you are referring to pressing 'shift' and 'p' on your keyboard.
(604549) - A nice dream but unreal. Its nice to daydream about the idea but unfortunately its physically impossible plan and simple.
(594621) - I think that it is possible with the use of different types of energy. I do, however, hate those who claim to P-shift without anything solid behind it.
(558899) - I think it would be really cool, if it were physically possible. If I had someone stand in front of me and then turn into an animal and back, I would certainly want to know how to do it.
(547703) - I believe that p-shifting would be a very welcome experience, but unfortuantely, is not possible at this time. It is my hope that this will be attainable in the future, though.
(538173) - I believe that p-shifting is possible to some degree in everyone, and others can in fact p-shift.
(538172) - I believe that p-shifting is possible to some degree in everyone, and others can in fact p-shift.
(487512) - I don't think it's possible, right now anyway, but I could be proved wrong. And if I believe that Jesus can walk on water, then surely I'd believe he could turn me into a wolf, rather than me trying to do it myself. Now the question is /would/ he do it? If I could P-shift, I'd love it, and I don't know if I'd go back to human life despite the constant threat of disease, parasites and hunters. P-shifting would be painful, though, I imagine.
(486518) - I don't think it's possible in the Hollywood sense, but I believe that with the right scientific advances, gene therapy could cause slow, select animal-like growth (such as a tail).
(486048) - I do not think it is possible, but I wish that it would be.
(485517) - Impossible. Tried it enough times to come to the conclusion that I'm not gonna do it without some major surgery.

11. What kind of shifts do you experience?

Phantom Shifts

24%

Mental Shifts

16%

Emotional Shifts

Aural Shifts

Dream Shifts

20%

Other

27%

Total Number of Choices

	Text Results
	485366.	Sensory Shifts
	485517.	Cameo Shifts
	485517.	Shadow Shifts
	486048.	Sensory perception
	486518.	Cameo Shifts
	487512.	sensory shifts
	538172.	For the most part, I slide between more human and less human.
	538173.	For the most part, I slide between more human and less human.
	547703.	Sensory Shifts
	558899.	Continuous mental shift
	594621.	Berserk Shifts
	604549.	Astral Shifts
	604549.	Non physical Bilocation Shifts
	730281.	Cameo shifting

12. How did you find out about therianthrophy? How old were you?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - I was 15 and getting heavy into researching werewolves. I found Ghristy Grandjean's (Goldenwolf's) site and she explained about being a 'wolfen'. I thought I was that for a while, and as I explored the community more I discovered that 'therian' was a more proper term and then I was off and on the Werelist for years, intermittently involving myself in the community.
(604549) - I was 15. I was googling facts about werewolves, typed in ’really werewolves’ and happened upon a webpage called The Therianthropic Resource.
(594621) - I was actually researching Werewolves for my books that I was writing and found the term 'Therianthropy'. I did some research and found out that I was a Therian, or what I like to call Kin. I share my body with a Wolf by the name of Jaggedclaw. I am a Suntherian.
(558899) - I discovered therianthropy when I was 19 and I was googling information about animal people. I had felt that my spirit was an animal/non-human for a long time and my curiosity regarding stories about others who may felt this way was sparked when I read Charles De Lint's Someplace to be Flying. I think I was google searching animal people and stumbled across the werelist. I was interested and my curiosity and self-reflection grew from there.
(547703) - I was 16, a few months from turning 17. I found out about it through a friend (unintentionally on their part) and the the furry fandom.
(538173) - I found out at 12, I was looking up wolves in dreams and I stumbled across therianthropy, which I knew fit with me, I have been a therian scince.
(538172) - I found out at 12, I was looking up wolves in dreams and I stumbled across therianthropy, which I knew fit with me, I have been a therian scince.
(487512) - I knew right from the beginning that I wasn't human inside. I just didn't realise there were others out there that didn't just like /pretending/ they were animals, but really thought they were. My grandparents can confirm that I almost never acted completely human. Lots of kids play animal, I know that, but not all kids actually think they are the animal. I was always in trouble for 'lashing out' at school. When panicked, I just behaved in the way that came most naturally to me and more often than not, If I couldn't run away, I would be in trouble for biting people. Not good behaviour I know but it happened and I can't change that. My behaviour extends way further than saying 'When I iz angry I gonna bite yuu', honestly it does but that would take forever. I used wolf roleplay as an outlet. It was a hobby as writing is one of the few things that can hold my interest for long periods of time. Then one day I had a long rant about feeling in the 'wrong body'. One of the moderators on that site (Angel on WL) heard my rantings of not being in the right body and announced she often felt the same way, describing her feeling as 'species dysphoria'. I was happy to stick with that term for a while. Another member referred me to the Werelist and I was very reluctant to join. I seriously thought it would be full of pretenders, wannabes or just people who liked animals too much. Not that I thought I was so 'special' or something, but I didn't think that other people actually genuinely thought they were animals inside. I thought they'd laugh at me. But they didn't. There were a few mishaps with other users but I was glad to see relativly rational people with balanced ideas about the causes and forms of therianthropy. I also learned that not all therians are species dysphoric, but I was anyway ^^; I was about 15 I think...
(486518) - Werelist, through my mate, at 18.
(486048) - I first heard about the word when I was about 15 and found werelist. I found werelist after seeing Coyote Osbourn talk about his therianthropy on Animal Imitators. I googled his name.
(485517) - I noticed one day that I was acting strangely, many of my natural behaviours were not human. Didn't think much of it before but when you wake up one day and realise you've just groomed your hair after licking your paw, you'd probably think "that ain't human".

13. Have you ever changed your theriotype? IE From a cat to a wolf?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - Yes. Thought I was a wolf for 7 years, then in 2008 I found raccoon to be much more accommodating.
(604549) - Yes and no. I've always thought I was a wolf, though I always thought I was only a wolf. Then I realized my shark theriotype after I found the community.
(594621) - Jaggedclaw has once introduced me to a Cat's perspective by bringing another spirit to me. I do not know this Cat spirit's name.
(558899) - When I first began actively thinking about my spirituality as an otherkin I accidently mixed up my totem/spirit partner with my kintype. I originally thought I was a wolf because I had had dreams and visions of a white one as a child. However, as I began to think more actively about it I realized he was a separate entity that followed my around. I began thinking of other animals that I had felt strongly about in my life. The semester before I discovered therianthropy and otherkin I had completed a course in ornithology. The birds began fascinating me and the entire semester I felt drawn the Corvids. I began researching the behavior of various Corvids and found my spirit family in the ravens. I felt incredibly drawn to ravens and their behavior, and the more I learned the more I saw myself. However, raven therian never quite fit so I did more research in ravens in mythology seeking perhaps a creature that was close or similar to ravens but had more going on. I had always felt very close to the archetypes of warrior guardian and priestess. I found these three elements, ravens, warriors, and priestesses in the Japanese Raven Spirit, the Karasu Tengu. So ultimately through a few related guises I found my kintype.
(547703) - No, I've been an Eastern Wolf since I discovered I was a therian.
(538173) - No, it just got more specific.
(538172) - No, it just got more specific.
(487512) - No, but I've always cameo shifted to a horse. so much that many would consider it a second theriotype, but it isn't my 'identity'. I personally don't understand how anyone could 'change' their theriotype or 'suddenly realise' they are something else. Therianthropy IS you, I don't understand how anyone can be unsure if they're a cat or a budgie or whatever.
(486518) - I don't believe the theriotype changes, just understanding of it.
(486048) - no
(485517) - Nope, been feline as long as I remember.

14. Do you have anything other than your theiroside? IE vampirism, etc?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - No.
(604549) - No not that I know of, less you consider being a multiple, being a person among several in only one body something notable. My therianthropy is mine alone though.
(594621) - I am psychic if that is what you mean. I am an Empath. I also can take in spiritual energies with my right hand and expel it with my left. It is still new to me. I am working on a theory.
(558899) - No.
(547703) - No, I do not.
(538173) - No
(538172) - No
(487512) - Nope, and I don't understand why these other flavours of otherkin crop up alongside, wither. Apart from being a wolf, I'm a perfectly ordinary human.
(486518) - I may also be a shape shifter.
(486048) - no
(485517) - Nope. Although I have a rather large touch of bloodlust it is not due to anything outside of my theriotype.

15. If you were to help someone looking into therianthrophy or finding out about it, what would you tell them?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - I would explain to them my personal views on it, but I acknowledge mine are a bit different from the majority, so I'd probably direct them to werelist after giving them a healthy dose of 'please remain skeptical'.
(604549) - Listen to yourself. Know thy self. No one knows you better then you.
(594621) - What I knew and what I learned.
(558899) - I would probably direct them to the more reputable sites I've found, such as Werelist and The Otherkin Community. I would also tell them that I would be willing to talk to them about it and help them out, however, they ultimately have to make their own decisions about their spirituality.
(547703) - I would reccomend that they go to Werelist, for one. For another, I would invite them to a weekly therian chatroom that I frequent. I would also relate to them my own personal experience of how I found out I was a therian.
(538173) - To visit sites like the Werelist and Otherkin Phenomena
(538172) - To visit sites like the Werelist and Otherkin Phenomena
(487512) - Ask yourself what YOU believe yourself to be before allowing your views to be moulded by other people's often fantastical experiences. I'd recommend not getting carried away with escapism or deceiving yourself.
(486518) - Consider all of your options first, do your introspection and research.
(486048) - I would tell them about the great variety that exists in therianthropes, and also tell them to patient about finding their theriotype.
(485517) - To help them finding out about it: "Imagine, if you will, a dog. A fun loving, playful, loyal dog or even its ancestor, a wolf. Now, give that dog a human body and give it the ability to think like a human. It stands there on two legs, looks perfectly normal, speaks like a normal human... but is it a human with canine feelings and instincts? Or perhaps a canine with the external facade of a human? Or is it a therianthrope? In truth... Are they not the same thing?" To help someone looking into it: "Is it your choice to be a therianthrope? Do you want to be a were-something? If so, think twice. There's nothing special about it. 'Therianthrope' is just a collective name for those who believe themselves to be animals inside, nothing special."

16. Do you experience species dsyphoria? If so, how does it affect you?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - No. I was born human, grew up human, I fit in my human body quite well.
(604549) - Yes. It confuses me sometimes. Turning around and then realized I’m not a wolf or a shark. That I have to walk up right, that I can’t breathe underwater, that I can’t do this that. I’m too slow, my senses are dull and awkward, and so on.
(594621) - Sometimes. It was strange and exciting all at once.
(558899) - I experience often an emotional/cognitive process dysphoria with human trains of thought. I often feel that I don't really understand many of the motivations of people around me. It's difficult sometimes in social situations where it is expected to have a certain response and I don't make it automatically and there is a delay as I remember what is expected of my behavior. As far as body dysphoria goes I don't suffer from it much. Sometimes I think it would be nice to perch on a branch or be able to make certain motions, but my human body just doesn't cut it. It doesn't really bother me though.
(547703) - Admittedly, I have experienced species dysphoria before. The feeling comes and goes, but it doesn't affect any aspect of my life but my private life. It has made me depressed, and I like to be alone when I feel it, but I can hide it from others so they don't worry or ask.
(538173) - I do occasionally, sometimes I just don`t recognize myself when I look in the mirror. I get depressed often about being human.
(538172) - I do occasionally, sometimes I just don`t recognize myself when I look in the mirror. I get depressed often about being human.
(487512) - I used wolf roleplay as an outlet. It was a hobby as writing is one of the few things that can hold my interest for long periods of time. Then one day I had a long rant about feeling in the 'wrong body'. The human form had convenient fingers, yes, but my increasing mental and phantom shifts just didn't FIT with my body. Obviously a wolf form is cool, but I didn't 'pick' it because of that. I was getting increasing depressed and anxious about my state of being. It wasn't a case of 'I can't turn into a super-cool were my life is boring', but picture what it would be like to take a wild wolf and put it in a small cage. At times it was unbearable. Either I was miserable because I was surpressing my urges or I was miserable because I had an impromptu m-shift at school and was ridiculed for it afterwards. I struggled to make sense of humans and their behaviour, and to an extent I still do ^^. Sometimes, my frustration just gets out of hand, but it really takes me by surprise. I've been diagnosed with depression, but I have periods of hyperactivity and euphoria, so when I have a depressed episode combined with a strong m-shift, it's like having the rug pulled from under your feet. During my time in Trinidad, I have so much contact with dogs, mostly feral dogs who followed me around. For the first time I felt like I had a proper pack- a pack of real dogs who loved me and I loved them. But sometimes at night, the feeling just completely takes over and I can't take it. I could hear the dogs howling around the house and I was locked in the yard at 1 am. I was completely shifted, in wolf mode, pacing and whining and crying and all I could do was howl my heart out because I was so frustrated. There's no words to describe just how desperate I feel sometimes and only physical pain seems to counter the mental pain. When thinking like a human I cut myself with knives/scissors etc and as a wolf I bite myself and pull out parts of my hair/fur. I get destructive and destroy things- anything leather or wood I can get my teeth on. I find going out in public difficult when It gets too crowded because sometimes I might growl at, or worse, snap at or bite people who make me feel unsafe. There comes apoint when I really think the only option is to try and convince somebody to let me live in a wolf sanctuary or Battersea dogs home. Nothing compares to the sheer joy and hope and happiness and sense of meaning being around canids (other animals not so much) gives me. When I was younger I never really had an interest in wolves or dogs. My obsession is horses, so I work at a stables, but it frustrates me that I have these wolf feelings when I don't feel like I've 'inflicted' them on myself. I don't hate what I am, but sometimes It's just too much to cope with. Lately, the dysphoria's gotten worse and I've been buying wolf surveillance DVDs for 'company'. Whenever they go offscreen all I can think is 'please,please, take me with you!' That's what I believed myself to feel like. I was considering using those human hands to take my own life at times.
(486518) - Not to a debilitating extent, and even then it's rare. It has more to do with wanting a hybrid body that combines the best of my human body with the best of the bodies of my two theriotypes, but it's not something that causes dysfunction.
(486048) - I experienced mild species dysphoria when I was younger. I made feel slightly depressed, but I've gotten over it, I guess.
(485517) - Yes but longing to be the cat I am hasn't got me any closer to being one. I don't like my human body; it's merely a fleshy puppet that I manipulate, I don't feel any real, deep seated connection to it. I could lose an arm and I'd feel the pain but it would simply be a loss of a useful tool, not a part of me.

17. Does being a therian affect your every day life? If so, how?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - I wouldn't say so. It is just something I AM. I don't have to consciously think about it every day. I don't really shift, so that doesn't get in the way. Being a therian affects me every day in the same way that being myself affects me every day...
(604549) - Yes. Shifting can be a bit of a hastle, but I work around it. Its effects what I sometiems like to do in my spare time and so on, as well as how I feel about myself. See Above for more.
(594621) - Yes. It allows me to see the world in a different way.
(558899) - Yes, my being an otherkin affects me in some of my choices. I think it helps give me focus for things I have known about myself my entire life. Being otherkin inspired me to learn many things about animals that I may not have normally researched, it inspired me to begin learning a second language, it inspired me to learn about different cultures and discover their legends. I feel that being an otherkin has affected my life positively and gives me great opportunity to know myself and to discover great knowledge in this world.
(547703) - It doesn't, really. Those I've told are okay with it (except one person who makes fun of me for it and thinks I also enjoy beastiality because of it), and those I haven't told have no idea.
(538173) - It affects how I act towards others. In general, I am very territorial, will do anything for my friends (pack mentality), I growl when surprised or angered, and I panic when I`m backed into a corner or physically restrained.
(538172) - It affects how I act towards others. In general, I am very territorial, will do anything for my friends (pack mentality), I growl when surprised or angered, and I panic when I`m backed into a corner or physically restrained.
(487512) - Yes, for the reasons highlighted above and the fact I shift several times a day so it really affects how I interact with and perceive the world and people.
(486518) - Not especially, it's just an aspect of myself, although sometimes I have found it helps if I tell people to think of me as something like a house cat in a human body.
(486048) - I use my sense of smell more than other people, so I notice some things before others. Shifts can also come up at bad timing, which is annoying.
(485517) - Concentration lapses. I'm easily distracted by things my therioside wants to explore. Also, the lack of being able to be myself. Too big a slip could land me in the loony bin so I can't allow myself to lose control at any point, it's a pressure I'd rather be without.

18. If there is anything you wanted to tell others what would it be?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - I really see my therianthropy as a matter of symbols and their meanings. I don't believe I was reincarnated. I don't think my soul is that of a raccoon. I just AM a raccoon in the same way that I AM a girl, I AM an ENFJ personality type, I AM bisexual, and so on. In a lot of ways, I feel like my behaviors/dreams/instincts reflect more of a 'composite animal', wherein I don't really embody one specific animal. Raccoon is just at the center of it all and the one I identify with most, so that's the lable I've given myself.
(604549) - This is me. I live with it, so should you. I'm human I just have an identity deal. 'Big whoop.'
(594621) - Anything is possible.
(558899) - Ultimately in anything, be yourself, no matter what that is.
(547703) - I am not only human. I am also a wolf. I believe that I am a wolf spirit with a human body. That is all.
(538173) - Biting isn`t "immature", it`s natural. You think that biting is something only little kids do because they don`t have other ways to deal with things, but you`re wrong. Biting is a panicked response, it`s instinctual, and you`re just scared of your instinct.
(538172) - Biting isn`t "immature", it`s natural. You think that biting is something only little kids do because they don`t have other ways to deal with things, but you`re wrong. Biting is a panicked response, it`s instinctual, and you`re just scared of your instinct.
(487512) - I didn't choose to be a wolf. I just am. But I'd like it if you choose to be my friend.
(485517) - So my mentality is that of a feline. Those I consider to be my species; I can relate to and understand them... What's wrong with that? If you had to compare your mentality to another animal what would it be; a primate like the overly aggressive & destructive chimpanzee?
(485366) - I don't have a 'mental condition'--I'm a wolf in heart, mind, and soul.

19. What is your feelings on the therian bible and the therian temple? Do you believe that being a therian is religious or mental or spiritual?

Total Number of Comments

(730281) - I think it's purely a mental thing. I know about the therian temple and it just may be more ridiculous that Scientology and it gives people the wrong idea. It doesn't really bother me though. I don't know why it is that I think the way I do and have the opinions about myself that I have. For me, it's not spiritual, and therianthropy doesn't come with a set of morals so I can't really see it as a religion. Mentality is the only thing thats left. Maybe that means we're all crazy, but at least we're not alone.
(604549) - Neutral. I would have liked to read it at least to know for myself, but because I really don’t know that much about it I can’t really say wither way. Therianthropy isn’t a belief as much as it is a phenomena and identity. If someone wants make a belief system around the therianthropy then who is to stop them as long as they don’t go around claiming all true therians follow this or that creed.I think therianthropy is caused by a whole host of different phenomena that is different for every person.
(594621) - Hah! Therianthropy as a religion?! Don't make me laugh. I might make myself out to be a bit cold here, so I'll explain. While I don't really care what you believe, I will tell those who may read this that Therianthropy is not a religion, but some can treat it as such. I am a Cristian at heart, but I am more open minded. Therianthropy is the sharing, fusion, or reincarnation of animal in human body and soul. I believe that some Animal's souls have been sent back to a physical plane because of some divine plan by God. That being Re-incarnation. Some may have been born with two souls or both souls fused together. Now, Therianthropy as a religion would make some people come up with a stereotype that 'all therianthropes are a giant cult' or something like that. Keep this in mind.
(558899) - I thinks it's silly and a bit of a scam.
(547703) - I have no idea what you are talking about and I honestly think it's a bit absurd. However, I do not believe in criticizing people because of their beliefs. I don't agree with it, but I will accept and respect it.
(538173) - I have not read the therian bible, but I have read up on the therian temple. I believe that there are ways people can become therians (i.e. walk-ins), and I don`t believe in the vegetarian diet thing. I do however, believe that therianthropy-based magic can be helpful to some esoteric religions such as Wicca. I believe that therianthropy is mental and spiritual, and that some people are spiritual therians, while others are mental.
(538172) - I have not read the therian bible, but I have read up on the therian temple. I believe that there are ways people can become therians (i.e. walk-ins), and I don`t believe in the vegetarian diet thing. I do however, believe that therianthropy-based magic can be helpful to some esoteric religions such as Wicca. I believe that therianthropy is mental and spiritual, and that some people are spiritual therians, while others are mental.
(487512) - How... I'll say it again, HOW do you make a religion out of what is essentially a condition or state of mind? Geez, why don't I take heart disease and make it a religion. It's rediculous, and whoever founded it probably found plain old therianthropy far too boring, and took advantage of the fact that so many of us are amassed on the internet already. This 'religion' isn't even based on any system of beliefs as such, just how people feel, which makes no sense. And how can you have a religion that only accepts followers according to what they are. Are all therians supposed to go jump on their bandwagon now, will it make them sinners if they don't follow their code? [/rant] Although some of their ideology isn't quite so questionable, I think it is definately a better idea to steer clear of it altogether. And for the love of god, anyone you were hoping to let know about therianthropy, keep them away too! It definately doesn't help when people new to therianthropy and are sucked in, adopting beliefs that are 'supposed' to be true about themselves. I'll stop now, before I upset someone... I am not by any means saying my therianthropy is down to science and science only or even if it could without a shadow of a doubt be explained by science. After all science can't prove the existance of a soul yet. It would crush me if someone said my therianthropy was all some chemical imbalance or sensory problem. I know I'm a wolf dammit, and if it were a clinical condition I don't think we would identify with a particular animal, but just be animalistic in general. To put therianthropy down to an entirely spiritual phenomenon is delusional. It is an eaasy way of explainin something you do not want to delve in to. I think anything of a spiritual nature is going to have a psychological effect on you. So if you /did/ have a wolf's soul or your brain 'believed' itself to be that of wolf (perhaps we have the *makings of every species' mindset preprogrammed but we only run one operating system so to speak), ths would be made manifest in your wiring, chemical balance, mentality and behaviours. (* Perhaps this explains why therains aren't just 'animalistic' in general, but identify as a particular species outside of vague character traits that would distinguish a dog from a cat etc for example) BUT, to put your therianthropy down to something purely neurobiological, you could be equally delusional. Man wants to know all the answers all the time and is desperatey trying to categorise and classify everything and explain everything with science. When they can't, they panic, which is freakishly obsessive. I'm not saying we should all be ignorant and boycott science, but sometimes, if you can't explain spirituality, give it a rest. There are some aspects of therianthropy that may be caused by things of a spiritual nature, but the effects of which are explainable by science, made manifest in the normal physical way, like sensory perception (that be a sensory shift) and phantom limbs (that be a phantom shift)
(486518) - I think the Therian Temple and Therian Bible are too forced and tread too close to "cult" territory for my taste. Also, I think that therianthropy is mental, a product of weird brain wiring, that's it... not necessarily a disorder, just a different way of interacting with the world.
(486048) - I believe therianthropy to be mostly mental. I don't know much about the therian temple, nor have I read the therian bible, but it seems ridiculous to me, to start a religion based on therianthropy.
(485517) - My therianthropy is completely mental. I'm not wired correctly, my brain behaves more like a feline & I consider myself to be feline, just in a human body. Nothing more, nothing less. I hold no connection to the therian temple. I'm not religious in any way and I will never swear myself to any group views, no matter how extremist or otherwise they may be. *Probably will be considered controversial but....* Furthermore, to devote yourself to somebody else's words whether they be spoken (like a politician) or written (like a bible) is, in my opinion, simply a lack of your own thoughts; create your own beliefs and don't be so ready to fall into a niche and change yourself to fit in. We are all unique, let's keep it that way.