Figarou wrote:
I wanted to do the same with Therianthropy. I just got confused. I'm the same way with furries. There is to many meanings out there. Its like looking up the word "run" in the dictionary.
I rather be a werewolf fan and thats that. If someone asks why I like werewolves, its because I do. No special reason. Its one of my favorite fictional creatures. Thats it.
The Therian sub-"culture" ( for a severe lack of PC terminology ), is just as complex and as varied as the fur fandom. The online-existence of Therianthropy can be traced back to the early days of public internet access, and the newsgroups. First it started out as a "fandom" ( Much like this is technically a fandom for mostly werewolvves - in particular a fan-following for Freeborn ( lots of "F's" wow )). Some even claim it started with the fur fandom, and grew out from there.
There are "Lifestylers". Some could techincally be pidgeonholed as "Therinas lost in the fandom". Others are deeply spiritual people who have a deeper connection to their animal idealolgoy. They enjoy the fandom as a way to express this in a place where they can feel safe doing so. Others amoung the Lifestylers..., like a portion of the fandom.., are "sickos". They take wanting to be the animal to the extreme. ( I put sickos in quotes, because some people won't see them as such, where others would be totally and horridly appaled by some of the things they do. )
This is often teh section of the fandom that crosses over to Therianthropy's own ( in many ways, and yes even in teh sicko ways ).
This is why its so often HARD to discern where the fine line comes from. Goldenwolfen's image *points above* was the center of a severly retarded ( no offesne to those mentally disabled ) online arguement. I entered into teh main-stay of teh Therian culture around the time this was just finializing and beginning to smolder out.
The going communties ( yes plural ) consensus is.., there is a connection, but Therians as a whole
Generally take their animal aspects more seriously and more spiritually then furs ( as a General fandom ). End. Of. Story.
There is no "form" or difference in wether its more feral looking or cartoony looking, when it comes to teh art of either. There is no "physical image" of what makes one or the other something else. I can point to you any number of FURRIES who draw werewolf art, who craft feral beats-men sculptures.
Artistically - Its what the artist claims it to be. if an artist says "its furry", then its furry.
If the artist says its "Feral, or werewolfy" then its werewolfy.
If the artist says its "High Fantays" then its high fantasy.
if the artist says, screw you all I'm going home.. they have that right too. ;) heh.
*rubs nose*
There is no way to try and catagorize it without realizing that it has far too many interconnecting points.
I've read all teh old arguements, all the old opinions, all the old realizations.., and in some places teh smoking debate of it all stilll smolders, waiting for thar one tiny spark.
^.^
That's why I say .., Let's not go there. Thsi is a werewolf forum..., lets keep the genralizations out. If someone wants to call you a furry, just smile, shake you head 'no' in a knowing way.. and walk away. If others want to make a biased an duneducated comment that could lead to an outright, stupid, arugement.. Its better to just not add fuel to the fire. ;)
Educate them if you think you can, but don't bash your heads into a wall. *chuckles* We need you HERE! *clings*
Call it what you will but I'll just stick with that 
.... 
