The Animal Within

From: "Dan Skunk"
Newsgroups: alt.lifestyle.furry
Subject: The Animal Within
Date: Wed, 7 Dec 2005 15:15:09 -0500

I think when someone believes they have good and bad within them, that shows that they have an inner conflict between their nature and their ideology. What they believe is good, is not what they feel is good. From my observations, it's their nature that is seen as evil because it trys to lead them away from their beliefs; their ideology. Their natural urges tempt them to do things they believe are wrong.

I think when we truely understand our nature and accept it, and align our ideals with our nature, this conflict is resolved; no longer is our nature opposed to our ideology; no longer are our urges in opposition to our moral beliefs. Body, mind, and spirit are unified in a single purpose that understands the world and their place in it with greater clarity and can act without guilt or doubt.

I think maybe what furs see as an animal part of themselves may simply be their true human nature asserting itself. Perhaps human beliefs and values have have diverged so far from human nature for so long that we no longer recognize it as human.

Perhaps furs have become aware of this aspect of their nature and are trying to understand it and they recognize this spirit they see within themselves in animals and it is that reason that they identify with animals.

Many ideologies believe humans to be different from animals and superiour to them, which probably would further explain why thier natural urges, that are identified in animals, are so demonized. If you believe you are not an animal, then all things that seek to remind you that you are threaten that belief and need to be supressed in order to protect the belief.

Furs may be recognizing that animal nature within themselves--their true human nature--and comming to realize the spirit they share with all living things that walk upon the earth. They may be seeking to unite with that spirit and with all the other animals--and thus with themselves--and for the first time, to know themselves; to understand who they are and understand their place in the world; to become complete. A person divided against themself can never feel complete and can never find peace. If you don't know who you are, you won't know how to find happiness for yourself.

Anthropomorphic animals may be a symbol of the animal and human aspects furs see within themselves and a desire to unite the two. They may be a symbol of the spirit we share with other animals and the unity between animals and humanity and help remind us of that relationship we have with them. By exploring these fantasies and acting them out, we may be bringing ourselves closer to understanding who we are and what it means to be human and moreover, what it means to be a animal living on this planet earth. Anthropomorphic animals may be the catylist that awakens within us an awareness of the animal within.