How I Feel About Therians/Otherkin.

NOTE: This essay was drafted several months ago and is now seeing the light of day.

I cannot say I'm completely one hundred percent convinced about Therians/Otherkin, but I do admire them regardless in a curious way. To begin with, I am what might be considered to be an "opponent" of Therians/Otherkin. I say this largely because of my Conservative/Christian views. So it would be understandable as to why they'd brush me off. Yet, before they do so, at least hear me out. Unlike most of my brethren, who would consider them to be "freaks" or "nutcases", I actually think what they're doing as Therians/Otherkin, is very interesting.

Allow me to explain:

My first encounters with this sort of thing came from the Therian/Otherkin's parent culture of Furries. To begin with, I was once a hater of Furries, thinking them to be weird, but the more I began to learn about Furries, the more I began to like them and defend them. I even made videos defending Furries some of which are still on my channel.

I should also mention in the 2010s, I defended the teen werewolf thing was going on in Texas. Which is probably where all this Otherkin/Therian subculture started. Come to think of it: the Therians/Otherkins might have started with the belief of Skin Walkers (Native Americans who believed they became animals by wearing the skins of animals.)

Now we see a revival of this belief in Otherkin. It's as though an ancient belief has experienced new life as a subculture. Then again, let the reader know this is only my opinion. I am open for discussion and correction if I am wrong.

To those who are Therians/Otherkin, I do have this to say: All I ask of you, and you may know this already, is to do your Therian activities when its APPROPRIATE. Like when you are with friends, conventions, on stage, or in your house. However, when it comes to things like school, work, government buildings, hospitals, grocery stores, and churches, it would be best to be Human during those places and events. As for funerals or weddings, UNLESS it is Therian/Otherkin themed, then do it. But when it comes to other people's weddings or funerals, please be Human.

Again, while I am not against Therians/Otherkin, I do believe there are times when its appropriate and times when its not.

Another thing I want to stress is Therians/Otherkin are really Humans. While they may believe themselves to be animals, they are still Human. It does not give anyone justification to hurt, hunt, or bully those who are Therian/Otherkin. Please, just let them be. If you cannot learn to tolerate them, then at least do them no harm.

Sure, I like to say I am a Ninja, but I rarely, if ever, dress up like one. Now I did take Krav Maga briefly, but that's another story for another time. However when I see Furries/Otherkin/Therians, I admit on one hand it looks strange. Seeing these people wearing fursuits or crawling on all fours is both interesting and odd.

Just like I met and befriended a few Furries, I would love to meet some Therians/Otherkins. I do this because I truly want to interact and learn more about them.

Now, like I said, I am both a Christian and a Conservative, but I am of the understanding that what you are doing is interesting. I am tolerant of your ways because I am willing to take the time to learn about them and what led you to do this. Also, as long as you are understanding there is a limit to how far you go with this sort of thing, its all good.

In closing, I like Therians/Otherkins. While their culture is not my can of beans, it is fun to interact with those identity as such and learn about them not as people, but also their persona as well.