First of all, I'd like to more clarify that this is not a fight. If it had become so, i would have used a lot nastier terms and down atlking then I have previously.
But because I feel that arguing in such a manner is silly, I try to educate instead.
Sometimes in my diatribes I forget to use the emoticons/smilies/ etc in order to "show" my emtoional state. Its hard not to read into text what one feels, rather then what is ment. So My appologies if it seemed that way.
As a memebr of the fandom, I'd like to point out that Therianthropy started with the Fandom. As a member of the Therian communities I'd liek to point out that Therianthropy started with the fandom. ;)
*chuckles*
Most furs can be catagorized into a number of different areas. 1 ) Fans, ie people who just like the whole anthro-animal deal, 2 ) Fanatics, ie people who get into more then most, invovle themselves in things like suits and the communtiy at large, 3 ) Suiters ie Mascots ( which are just cool in my book ;) ), 4 )Artists, 5) Spiritualists ( ie some can be marked as Therian, some a Totemist, etc.., ), 6) PG-13 folks, 7) Perverts, 8 ) Sickos.
But then alot of different fandoms have these same if not simialr catagories ( trekkies anyone? ;) ) heh.
So as for an debate between weres and furs, IMO there is no deabte. There is no 'wrong' difference but what -we- as people lable others. *nods sagely* The bias is as bad as rascism. It makes one closed minded.
The only defining difference is that the furries are a part of a larger fandom. Anyone can be a fur. Anyone who is a fan of anything anthro-morph can be
technically considered a fur ( though they may refuse teh 'label' htmeselves and claim otherwise ).
Therianthropy.., its not a religion but it is in some ways a spirituality. Its not something everyone -can- be, but that some people just -are-. ( Though that is currently still under debate in some circles,
).
I don't like Savaaha's note that Therian's are mostly furries. Oh boy. Say that to a community of Therians who don't even KNOW the furrity fandom exists ( yes I know this is true, I was once one of those numbers.. and the fandom has been around since Mickey Mouse.., or before.., the fandom has a LONG history ).., Yeah that's opening a big old can of worms.
I had to go through teh hazing as well. But rather then b**** about it, I sucked up my pride and paid attention to what they were not saying.
Yes there is a LOT of elitism amoung BOTH sections. But there are a LOT of morons too. Don't take it personally, because it shows that you can't handle an opinion that doesn't fit your own. ;) Its done not because they are better then you...,
Its done bec ause the therian community has SEEN the crap that the Fur fandom has delt with, the bad media rap and all. They have delt with wannabe's for YEARS. Its hard not to be jadded.
Its not "you have to or else you are not good enough" Its a test of personality, to see if yuor are -serious- and not just tere to troll or be an butt-hat. :/
Please trust me in this, I've picked up pieces of newbies from the hazings I have watched. I've grabbed folks with "strange therian sides" and spoke with them before the hazings began. I've tired to be the voice of reason amoung a very insular group of people.
All I can advise is to not take thinsg so personally, because throwing blanket statements over things only makes the jadded-ness worse. Yuo becomea statistic.
This can also be applied to o utside life as well. Again, Bias in any thing is bad. Opinions are ours to have, yes.
But Bias can hurt everyone in th elong run.
Yuo wanna talk? There are PLENTY of others out there, world wide who has more patience for newcomers, for seekers, for the repitious questions and answers.
All yuo have to do is find them. Complaining doesn't help, but seeking does.
Peace.