Otherkin- real or not real (for argument's sake)

[meep]

I know otherkin is banned from the spiritual board and probably all of the boards but I suppose we can debate about it? Please?
*Guards thread so it doesnt get locked*

Anyway, are otherkin really people who are connected to foxes, dragons, vampires, fairies, etc and that they were those animals/ beings in their 'past lives'? Or are they just imagining that they are, and are actually, uh, just imagining it? (Which personally, I think so)

So, things might get a bit fluffy in here so keep the fluff down very low- (no 'omg I'm actually a vampire let me suck your blood noobz!' etc please ^^'')

[Mat Ethers]

I'm not really sure what to think about these so called otherkin but I think that they just associate themselves with their respective creature. There's no real connection between them and said creature.

[JediKaren]

I'll let this stay if we promise not to go wild else where on the boards with this topic.

[Rippy]

I believe that it depends on the person.
I should probably start off by mentioning that believe--loosely-- that I am otherkin.. It's likely that I'm crazy, so of course, I won't deny that.

I have memories, yet they could simply be desires manifested by the imagination. It doesn't really matter to me, honestly. I am what I am. I feel partially dragon inside, and while it may hurt sometimes, for the most part it isn't a huge factor in my life. It's who I am-- who I've always been-- and hence, nothing has changed. Life goes on.

I know that I'm probably insane. Yet, I think it's rather rude to assume that all otherkin are. Is it any stranger to believe that there's an invisible man in the sky who created all of reality in seven days?

It's just a personal belief. In order to mark someone insane based only on this very broad statement of self, you must also apply the same terms to every other religion, spirituality, and belief. Of course, I'm sure if I told my therapist that I'm a dragon, I'd be shipped off to the asylum without a second thought.

[ismavatar]

It's really hard to say, because the last Otherkin I talked to was complaining about their tail twitching and asking if they might have a vitamin deficiency or such (since I seem to have developed a reputation in knowing that kind of stuff).
Of course, I casually just assessed them as though they were experiencing a twitching anywhere else, and pretended like it only "felt like" a tail. They then started talking about their claws and I just told them I'm not a vet, and walked away.
Regardless of whether they're sane or not, they're not hurting anyone, so they have a right to their own delusions. And some people are just so far out there's no sense trying to convince them otherwise.

Sure, I'd love to be a dragon. But I've got better things to do with my time than complain about my claws, and I'm pretty sure I wouldn't want to be launched/dropped out of a 12th story window in an attempt to fly *shrugs*

[Nightshare]

I kinda believe but I am not sure. I have doubts and what not but I hope werewolves are real because they are freaking awesome

[dash]

nightshare said:

I hope werewolves are real because they are freaking awesome

YEAH!!

but.. these.. "otherkin" .. hm.. well they could just have the mindset that they're spiritualy related to.. lets say.. a cat.. so they're subconsious could be filling in the part of a cat, making them more nimble and giving them better reflexes.. or whatever they have in they're subconscious meaning "cat"

in a way.. they're kinda right.. but all in all.. they only do it to themselves..

er.. that just what i believe anyway! what do i know, right?

hm.. who are we to say who is insane?
it just seems like.. we dont know enough about anything to label anyone different of being "insane".. just because they see the world differently?

I'll have to say.. "sane with a twist" lol

[onine]

Dash makes a good point. Some would say that your "Observer" takes a form of yourself left in your memory, but my Observer can take any form it so desires. The Observer is sort of like a Rune. It can be both blank or written upon, and although that is not predestination, this meaning dictates what the person will become in life when given the lesser mind's reaction to such; "I am real!" exlaimed alice, and she began to cry."

In my mind, I am both wolf and dragon, because this is a comfortable form as opposed to using imagery for myself as a Human--which isn't fun at all. ;D

Wilk Opeikunka od Zmarli or Wolf Guardian of Death.

As a Guardian of Death, I say... death to stigma! ;D

[Leon]

I think it's unfair to call a person crazy. Honestly in my opinion (and I know I'm a mod so I'll try to sound as nice as possible) if you can't respect a person for their beliefs, you have no business talking about them, or their beliefs.

[meep]

limptaco said:

I think it's unfair to call a person crazy. Honestly in my opinion (and I know I'm a mod so I'll try to sound as nice as possible) if you can't respect a person for their beliefs, you have no business talking about them, or their beliefs.

Awwh, I didn't mean it that way! It just sounds better like 'sane or insane' rather than like, 'sane or reallyconnectedtootherbeings' D:
(No harm intended on the title of the thread >.<)

From Wikipedia Otherkin article

Otherkin is the term for a group of people who consider themselves non-human or having a connection to a mythical archetype in some way, usually believing to be mythological or legendary creatures.

Common creatures to which Otherkin claim some connection include angels, demons, dragons, elves, fairies, lycanthropes, and extra-terrestrials.

According to diagnosis criteria put forth in the DSM IV and the ICD, the belief that one is an animal or can be turned into an animal may qualify as a delusional disorder, a delusion of varying severity and significance.

p.s. DSM IV =Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders
ICD= International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems

[Intrigue]

DSM IV: Hahahah. Many psychologists hate that test, but it's required for insurance reasons. Companies won't pay for treatment without a DSM-compliant diagnosis. I do believe there have been more than a few editions with absolutely no implication of a "Perfectly normal" diagnosis. Basically, if someone is looking in that book for your symptoms, it's assumed you have some form of illness/disorder.

That doesn't make it a bad thing, but it certainly shouldn't be the only one, so don't get freaked out by it.

Anyways, from my understanding, otherkin basically relate themselves (in particular) to creatures of myths such as vampires, fairies, and the likes. In some cases, they include psy-vamps (Spelling is important. Notice how I didn't say psi-vamps.)

[Rippy]

Well, to me, as a not-so-frequent member in the otherkin community, it seems as though the majority actually tend to be animals rather than mythological creatures.

Of course, the most common, best source is really www.otherkin.net

[T_Hornberger]

I don't know...even though many of my friends tell me I am, and no, not newbie friend, my stronger, more powerful psion friends, tell me I am, I don't believe them...I mean, I would believe their word majorly, but for some reason I just don't believe them when it comes to this. Even my teacher said it...(Psionic teacher). I mean...I can believe in people having souls..yes...easy to believe, but believing your soul isnot like a normal human's it is from another mystical creature...I mean come on...That's why it's called fantasy...

[phlatline]

Sane or insane? is not the right question here. The right question is Not stupid or stupid? I choose stupid.

[dash]

"phlatline"
i know you have the right you think whatever you want.. but please refrain from being disrespectful..
not only was that completely unnecessary but it makes you look like a jerk and a fool..