Painted Wolf, sure I'll try and help explain it, though I'm not the best one to do that. Aside from my experiences, I don't know what else to offer.
Hey, what does wa:-do mean?
[/quote]LMAO... I was just suggesting that you keep this conversation going and recieve Christian feedback here... and you bring it up in the Paganism forum so those of us who have no Christian feedback to give but still want to talk to you about the concept of an animal spirit can do so... Master Vigil summed up my feelings pretty accurately.
By the way, never lose your animal side. It is what makes you special. But, whats more important is what you do with your animalities that really makes you special. I know from experience that alot of christians may believe you are evil or insane. But that is nonsense. Never feel the need to fit in, for no one really fits in anywhere. Your animal side will show you the way, if you are willing to let it. No frustration, just love.Runt, er, *sheepish look* I'm still learning this forum. At work, I can access the other posts, whereas at home, I can access this one. I know it's a mistake on my part, and that I'll figure it out, but, well, sorry.
Master Vigil, I so appreciate what you just said. I attend church *only* because I highly respect the open-mindedness, knowledge, and wisdom or our pastor, but I really am terrified of the consequences if/when my therian side is discovered. But your words are reassuring--my animal side will guide me, and I do see it as a gift from God. So thank you for your reassurance.
Dudley Thoth, I can't live without God--I should have clarified that to begin with. My belief and reliance on him is quite strong. What I'm trying to understand is how my therian side is so real, and yet the Bible accounts for no therians. That's all.
Why?
Yes, that's what I read as well. What do you think of this idea: God used various forms of "punishment" to teach, as is the case with King Neb. What about applying that to therianism today, only with a different perspective? He gave me my cougar side, and it's taught me much about leadership, cunningness, curbing my temper, and when to snarl. Instead of a negative (ie punishment), therians could be seen as just another way God teaches us about us and Him. Further, the reason therianism isn't condoned by general Christianity is that it's not in the Bible, and the Bible was written a very long time ago, under very different perspectives. So rather than a "bad" thing, therianism--including King Neb's experience--could be seen as a good thing.
This might seem an absurd example, but it's what comes to mind right now. Have you seen the movie, "Brother Bear"? A human kills a bear out of revenge, and is transformed into a bear as a result. While a bear, he takes care of a younger bear, who, in the end, turns out to be the cub of the bear he killed as a human. In the end, the human/bear chooses to remain a bear in order to take care of the baby bear. What started out as a punishment per se, turned into a blessing--as in the case of King Neb. (though my knowledge of him is limited, but didn't he continue to do naughty things his entire life?). Regardless, I think you see my point regarding the therian and the term "bad" applied to it.
So, let's hear your thoughts, and I'll try and figure out how I got here, and what I posted on another thread *blushes*. Thanks for the insights.
Zelani :mrgreen:
