01.27.11 - Thoughts On Otherkin (+Vampires) - John Thomas - WitchSchool

[Merticus]

http://www.witchschool.com/forum/topics/thoughts-on-otherkin

Thoughts On Otherkin
WitchSchool Discussion Thread
John Thomas - January 27, 2011

This new topic arises from someone's well thought out explanation of what Otherkin are.

Otherkin are those people who believe that in a past life they were more than human or something other than human.

Yet, there are those who believe that they were real physical werewolves, vampires and fairies in past lives.

I understand the importance of getting in contact with one's animal selves and one's natural selves. I also practice this totem magick as a part of my spiritual path.

In my personal belief system, we have been animals in past lives and when we die every time, a part of our spirit connects to a natural spot adding to our connection to nature.

What I have a problem with are beliefs that people were actual living werewolves, vampires and fairies. Now we are all entitled to our own beliefs on the subject. But consider the effects on our religion when someone says.

"I'm a real vampire now because I connected with one of my past lives where I was a real vampire who sucked the blood of people. I'm a Wiccan and this is what Wicca is to me."

This is just wrong. If we of the old religion, who's primary goal is to worship the goddesses and gods of our ancestors, don't stand up to this nonsense, we can't be taken seriously and grow as a religion. We will also lose our rights that we have fought for if we are grouped with role-players.

I also happen to be a role-player and am even working on a role-playing game. But I don't go around telling people I'm a real vampire Wiccan.

If you are Wiccan, honor Wicca by keeping your belief that you are a real vampire separate from your Wiccan faith. Do this for your brothers and sisters in Wicca.

[SangSavvy]

Obviously, this man doesn't understand what real vampires practice overall. 

[paindancer]

Or otherkin for that matter, although he does seem to have had a lot of exposure to less adjusted ones.

[Kasada]

The first premise upon which this entire supposition is based is radically incorrect.  Otherkin are most certainly not defined as "those people who believe that in a past life they were more than human or something other than human."  On similar lines, Vampires are not remotely a kin type; there is a lot of overlap in the communities, but vampirism is a condition which can afflict anyone, kin or not, and is not by any means a type of kin on its own. 
I am a Vampire.  I have several friends who are 'kin.  I do not, and never have believed in past lives of any sort.  This fact alone shows that the definition so poorly used is impossibly inaccurate.

[SangSavvy]

Well, I definitely disagree with you on some of your points Kasada, specifically involving how vampirism is a "condition" or "affliction";  I also believe in reincarnation, spanning all sorts of dimensions and realities.  But I do agree with you that this is a personal opinion, and he's openly bashing and stereotyping, not to mention hes going so far as to order other followers of Wicca to do the same, or they are not true to the faith. 

I especially value the posted replies on the original site of this post.  It seems other members there are having issues with his post as well.  I agree with Octarine, he sounds like a "Wiccanist".

[RKCoon]

One form of faith bitching about another. Ironic. But, at least neither has any intent built in to cause mass carnage, suffering and torment.

[Oblivionburns]

While I think the author is correct in a few statements (mainly because it always seems that in any group a few bad apples ruin it for everyone) I have to agree with the incredulity of all these foregoing comments.  When did Wiccans start feeling they can tell other Wiccans they're not the right kind of Wiccan?!  Erp!  Methinks this Wiccan dost offend my nostrils with the stench of hypocrisy!  How is this happening?  One shouldn't emulate the past transgressions of big religion, it never works out well.  We all remember the Burning Times....  I myself used to be a Nature Ritualist & there's nothing wrong with being that & a vampire as well.  We all have our issues, it seems.

I guess this was a plea for sanity among those who try to mix religion with condition?  I'm a little uncertain what the author meant to do with this.

[kaytan]

Greetings Ladies and Gentlemen.
Thank you, my dear Merticus for sharing this article. I've seen this article before on WitchSchool and I said nothing about it.
Dear Merticus, As I said several times before during our personal conversations, I admit that I strongly believe in the power and wisdom of members of AVA. Honestly when I study their posts and topics I find nothing but wisdom and reality, but outside of AVA word is not always like that.
Judging about his views in Vampy(i)rism should be done by vampy(i)ers , but as a Demon (a Devil to be honest) I have something to say about this article.
Dear merticus and my dear sisters and brother at AVA, I'm just sick and tired of the Otherkin community. No offense, but I do not blame him for his views on Otherkins. I earlier had some little fights with people regarding to something which they (Otherkins) call it UPG. UPG stands for  Unverified and Personal Gnosis. they think that their UPG is more reliable and valuable than reality. if  you go to their websites you will find nothing but their memories which no one can grant them and to be honest I think most of them Schizophrenic people who say irrelevant things about a subject. as a example, let's talk about angel kins, there's no specific thing to describe them and neither of them describe Heaven and Angel related subjects in a same way and situation can get worse when you come to talk with demons, neither of them can describe the hell in a same way! I'm sure you know what does that mean! So, when an observer comes to otherkin communities in order to study them, he will find no answer except the thing that Rev. Thomas said about us.
During my fights I asked them for evidence. they said there's no evidence since they all work on their own UPGs. I answered that I have my own UPGs but my UPG completely matches with both historical and sacred (not religious texts...) texts which I have found and since discovering the past lives memories can be an odd and dangerous task it must be done under the control of an elder,  they refused my idea and said that whatever comes to their mind must be respected!!
Dear Merticus, Today's otherkin community is fulled of young people who prefer to live in their imaginations instead of reality. they take book, chose their favorite parts of it and refuse the rest of it. It's a long long history that I really do not like to recall it again.
There are lots of differences from Otherkin communities and Vampy(i)er communities. You, vampy(i)ers have answers to outside word, but Otherkin Community has nothing but imaginations to offer to the outsiders. Yes, I'm a demon and I have proof to prove everything that I said, but to be honest, I have no problem with what Rev. Thomas said about Otherkins.  may thoe selfish otherkins one day provide something logical for Elders like Rev. Thomas and learn to respect the Elders.

[Lady Raven]

Kaytan: I understand your view on the otherkin, although you should try to keep in mind that not all of the otherkin community live in a fantasy world so to speak. There are real people in the otherkin community that are connected to the outside world. There are many beings in the journey of understanding themselves and this time. It can be difficult for one to express something that they don't quite understand.

[kaytan]

Kaytan: I understand your view on the otherkin, although you should try to keep in mind that not all of the otherkin community live in a fantasy world so to speak. There are real people in the otherkin community that are connected to the outside world. There are many beings in the journey of understanding themselves and this time. It can be difficult for one to express something that they don't quite understand.

True, but I think the "real" ones are very few in Otherkin community. I'm not going to be disrespectful to others belief, this is just me who will not believe in everything that every one says unless the individual provides some evidence or at least something that makes sense ( to me).

[Lady Raven]

I understand what you mean, true individuals can and do seem to be a rare find.

[kaytan]

I understand what you mean, true individuals can and do seem to be a rare find.