As mentioned in the Therianthropy overview, there are many misconceptions
about therianthropy. There are many people claiming to be therians that
don't have a firm grasp on what therianthropy actually is. There are many
people claiming to be therians who haven't done any kind of soul searching,
or introspection. Many are role players or people who just want to choose
an animalistic lifestyle.
This information note is here to dispel some of the common misconceptions
we see about Therianthropy.
1. Therianthropy is not a choice. We do not choose anything about our
therianthropy. Many state that therianthropy chooses us. We do not choose
the animal within. We do not decide what we want to be. We do not wish
to be a certain animal.
2. Therianthropy is not based on animal stereotypes. You are not a
wolf therian because you think you're a good leader, or because you're
loyal, sociable and strong. You are not a lion therian because you're
courageous. You're not a raccoon therian because you like shiny things.
3. Therianthropy is not a religion. Religions are about beliefs outside
of the self. Therianthropy is about the truth of our inner nature. We
don't worship anything. We simply believe that, somehow, someway, we
are part animal.
4. Therianthropy is not about abandoning one's humanity. On the contrary,
Therianthropy is about embracing both the human and animal nature.
5. Therianthropy is not Animal Spirituality. Therianthropy is a KIND
of animal spirituality. Just because one believes in some kind of spirituality
related to animals does not necessarily make them a therianthrope.
6. Therianthropy is not lifestyling an animal. A lifestyle is a conscious
choice that someone makes about how they live their life. Therianthropes
do not go out of their way to appear animalistic, or act more like animals.
Therianthropes are simply aware of their animal nature. This may or
may not show on the outside at all.
7. The moon has no affect on therianthropes in general. Studies have
been inconclusive about it's affect on people. There is no link between
therianthropy and the phase of the moon. It's just a pretty rock in
the sky, forever falling to the Earth.
8. Therianthropy is not elitist. Many people are disgusted by the nature
of therianthropy and how it excludes others. The fact is that therianthropy
is not a club that anyone can join, but it's not elite. Therianthropy
is a state of being, and far too many people claim therianthropy without
understanding or knowing what it is. Wanting to be a therian does not
necesarily make you one. Deep introspection and soul searching will
guide you to the truth.
9. Therianthropy and Furries are two completely separate things. While
many therians are furries, furries are not necessarily therians. Anyone
can freely join the Furry communities and take on a 'fursona' of their
choosing. Therians, on the other hand, don't choose what they are, they
can't simply become a therian from declaring themselves one or taking
part in the therian community. They don't become therians because they're
fans of animals.
10. Therianthropes are normal humans. Therianthropes are not special.
They do not have any special powers or abilities. They do not have any
special attributes. What makes someone special is WHO they are, which
therianthropy is a part of. Therianthropy itself does not make us any
different from any other person on this world.
This article is presented as part of an ongoing
effort to present other views outside of, as well as within, the online
vampire community. As such, the views and attitudes contained in this
article are entirely those of the author(s), and may not necessarily
be shared by SphynxCatVP. The webmaster is not under obligation to update
or otherwise keep current the contents of this article. Most
importantly, only you can decide for yourself whether this article or
any of the author(s) other views are useful or applicable to you - use
your own reasoning and judgment.
