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He Is Embarrassed to Admit to His Jehovah's Witness Father and to His Mother that He Is a Furry
I have been a furry for about a couple of months now and I have told some of my friends that I'm a furry, but not my mom or dad. I am kind of afraid to tell my mom or dad. One: My mom would probably think I'm weird and criticize me and two: my dad is a Jehovah’s Witness and might hate me for the rest of my life. My dad is extremely religious. I just want my mom or dad to know so that I don't have to "hide in the shadows," if you know what I mean. I have five furry shirts I wear to school and then I have to quickly change out of them for my mom cannot see. I just feel too embarrassed to reveal myself. Help. Thank you.
Feisty Ferret (age 16)
* * *
Dear Feisty,
Papabear has received quite a few letters like yours over the last year and a half, as you might imagine, and the last few I received about furries and their parents I simply wrote to them offline since my readers have seen these before.
When it comes to Christianity and furries, I have, in the past, referred furries to several Christian furry groups (cf. http://www.askpapabear.com/1/post/2012/06/christian-gay-and-furry.html, for example), but Jehovah’s Witnesses present a challenge because they are quite different from most other types of Christianity. They do not believe in the Holy Trinity, and their concept of Jesus is very different in that they do not see Him as an iteration of God, but, rather, as a being separate from God and also not strictly the Son of God, yet they still believe that salvation is found only through Jesus. So, referring you to other Christian groups might not be helpful in your case.
Jehovah’s Witnesses are strict in their lifestyle, very opposed to anything that might be misconstrued as idolatry and opposed to celebrations such as Christmas and national holidays, which they feel are paganist (actually, they are quite correct on that account).
Why do I bring all this up? Well, because, despite all this, I do not know of any reason for a Jehovah’s Witness to object to someone being a furry. As long as you make it clear that your furriness has nothing to do with paganism and is not a rejection of your faith (I’m assuming you are a Jehovah’s Witness, too? If not, that is an entirely different letter, so let’s just focus on the furry issue). There is certainly nothing in the Bible that says you can’t put on a fursuit or enjoy a Disney film like Bambi just because it has talking animals in it (especially since those things didn’t exist back in biblical days!)
What you need to make crystal clear to your father is that furry has nothing to do with paganism or perversion or anything that might be offensive to his JW sensibilities (again, I’m operating here under certain assumptions, such as that you are not taking furry to a spiritual level but merely to a hobbyist level). Surely your father would be okay with your having a fun hobby? Would he, for instance, object if you wanted to be a mascot for your football team and dress as a bulldog or tiger? Does he object to people who like science fiction or fantasy books? Explain furry in those terms. The fandom, after all, began with a bunch of sci-fi enthusiasts, not fursuiters.
As for your mother, approach her in a similar way: being furry is just a way to have fun and socialize. (Even Jehovah’s Witnesses believe that having fun is okay). As long as you aren’t doing anything shameful, there shouldn’t be anything to be ashamed about, right? Right. When you say that you fear your mom will think you are “weird and criticize me,” is that because you know her views about furries or are you putting words in her mouth based on your personal feelings of embarrassment?
The problem with many young furries is they are apparently being taught from the outset that furry is something to be ashamed of. This is a lesson I have had to unlearn myself, even recently, and it is something that is very difficult to fight. You and I, and all furries, need to not be embarrassed about ourselves. Because, you know what? Many times when we finally admit to friends and family we are furries, they are fine with it! I know, shocking, right? The people who are fine with it are those who either A) don’t know what furry is and so have no bad preconceptions about it, or B) have a rock-solid understanding of furry and realize that there is nothing wrong with it. It is only with the misinformed and partially informed that problems may arise, in which case it is up to the furry to educate and dispel the misconceptions. (Such people are easy to spot, such as one time when I was at a party and asked a guy if he knew what a furry was, and his reply was, “Oh, yeah, you’re one of those furverts.”)
At any rate, let’s go through the possible scenarios here: 1) you can keep doing what you’re doing and, eventually, when you move out of your parents’ house you can live life as you see fit, 2) you can tell your parents you are furry in a way that they can accept and everything will be all right, 3) you can tell your parents you like furry stuff, and if they reject that, you can say, okay, I didn’t realize it would offend you so much so I will stop (and then go back to option 1), or 4) you can tell your parents you are a furry, they decide to be jerks and hate you even though you are their flesh and blood, and you get thrown out of the house and have to fend for yourself (possibly what you are fearing most, no?) Obviously, avoid 4 at all costs.
There’s actually one more option similar to #1: what I call the “It’s No Big Deal” gambit. Don’t tell them you’re a furry, but don’t hide it, either. Don’t make it a big deal (that’s important). Go ahead and wear a furry T-shirt at home, but don’t comment on it. If they ask, just say something like, “Oh, just a fun shirt I thought was kinda cool, no biggie.” Don’t hide furry stuff on your computer (but DON’T have furporn on your computer). Watch movies like Kung Fu Panda and Open Season without hiding those, either, and go ahead and leave out comic books and graphic novels in the open, as long as they are not, again, porn.
This is actually the option I would recommend. If you are not afraid to be yourself, if you don’t behave in an embarrassed or ashamed manner, then your parents won’t pick up on the idea that this might be something to be ashamed of or hide, rather like if you were smoking weed, hiding it in a drawer, and then, after your mother stumbles on it, claiming it is potpourri. Parents aren’t stupid (well, most aren’t), so don’t treat them like they are and don’t treat them like the enemy.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
Papabear
Stan Sakai’s Other Rabbit Warrior
This is my fursona which I'm going to make into a suit. I'm new here, but I hope you like her!
(NSFW) Sticky and Different: The Month in Offbeatr
It’s December, and if that very special and perhaps a little depraved someone in your life needs the gift of a big-breasted transgender lupine Choose Your Own Adventure, amply-endowed unguligrade gym bunnies, frolicking and buxom pony satire, or digimon with riding crops and possibly stiletto heels, Offbeatr has something for you. Also, your SO’s needs are very specific and couples-therapy may be in your future.
Just saying.
Ex Gender: A Wolf in Stilettos
Project ending 12/30/13
Wish fulfillment fic with a bit of Mary Sue is totally okay as long as it’s cute. And Ex Gender, catering as it does primarily to a few specific interests–gender transformation and massive breasts chief among them, may not be everybody’s cup of tit. Tea. 
But the artist DracoJeff goes in for expressive characters, working the american manga style fluently with art that steps outside kink and could easily appeal to anyone with a love for manga style, cute wolf guys, and a little playful dominance/submission.
The project, which is funded to the tune of $8000 now, and trending higher, is an interactive CD graphic novel, with a few plot variations, branching paths, music, and some clicking and scrolling to learn more about the characters (or scroll lovingly over a centerfold). It’s not quite a game, but Drayjay’s definitely letting his love of gaming peek through.
Nope, no biblical allusion here.
The plot–Phyco, young wolf, ready to pounce on the world, falls into–or walks into, or possibly embraces, he’s a changeable character–the strange experiments of Aphramars Industries, and finds himself in a female body not unlike Lady Death wearing a tight fur coat. With a cute little goatee. After that, internal conflict, personal growth, exploration, maybe even understanding, and probably a few steamy sex scenes.
Drayjay’s fan base blew through his high $5000 goal in, oh, about two days, and Drayjay’s plotting out new endings for higher goals. Take a look!
Playpony: Issue #2
Project ending 12/31/2013
The thing I like most about this project–well, besides the overall high production value of the art, the managers of this one are really picking their art for clean and professional–is the theme. Basing their project on another well-known intellectual property, Playpony is a mix of profiles, articles, fiction–but, mostly, pinup ponies.
Maybe not “pinup.” That sounds a little too innocent, and glancing over the preview of Issue #1 we’re several degrees higher on the pornometer than the Bit and Bridle calendar.
Each issue features a stable (heh) of regular artists, with an artist interview to keep it classy. There’s also the mandatory clopfic (it’s a word…) so you can say you were reading the articles, a bit of steamy comic fiction, and pictorial profiles from the “Mane 6″, popular background characters (Vinyl Scratch gets a lot of issue 1 to herself), a centerfold, and a celebrity guest. I know I’ve already said it, but I really like a project that really sticks to its theme, and Playpony picks a well-established theme and gallops with it.
DigiXXX Issue #1
Project ending 1/14/2014
I gotta say, after glancing over this project, which MUST be 100% canon material, I seriously misjudged Digimon, and may have to go back and buy the OAV set. I didn’t know just how many sex toys were involved in that series.
Bright and cheerful and soaked in both a certain charming irony and Veemon spooge, DarthGlacier has lovingly illustrated what happens when all that reconfigurable digimon digital DNA gets just a little bit corrupt. I’m falling in love with how big-eyed and friendly Glacier’s characters are–really capturing the energy of the series!–while simultaneously brandishing a lurid green dildo. That…that’s panache. So far as orientation goes, DigiXXX should appeal to any digimonophile. [ed. note: at some point my spellchecker just gave up on this entry.]
So far as the DigiXXX Offbeatr business plan goes, seems sound. Once the crowdfunding period’s wrapped up, Glacier’s moving over to Rabbit Valley publishing–lower fees and a good furry distribution channel! So a large portion of her crowdfunding proceeds will go toward an initial print run. Since DigiXXX is about to break $1000 with a month to go, seems like an achievable goal.
A quick tour through DarthGlacier’s FA gallery shows a thick layer of Rule 34 sauce spread over several fandoms, particularly (and not surprisingly) Pokemon. Gotta catch them all, before they frighten the kids.
Horse Hung
Offbeatr Voting Pre-Launch Period
Horse Hung is the work-in-progress project of artist Panda Lover, who, you’ll be shocked to learn, really likes drawing buff, hard-working guys. He also promised to draw my scrawny spokesdog Corbeau before the FA Lockout of 12/2013…looking at the stars of Horse Hung, I’m not sure he can, those are some well-chiseled slabs of gym bunny!
From the sketch “storyboard” pages and dialogue–well, and the title–Horse Hung is solidly a work of gay furry porn, a no-nonsense sex comic. Which is not to say it’s plot-free. The main character, Dante, is dealing with getting his life in gear, out of school, and getting a late start on opening up to his changing sexual orientation. His closest friend Jenason, and the only on he trusts, might be able to help, but he’s straight. Add a predatory boar, and sad-puppy drama and steamy locker room sex ensues. At a goal of 100 pages, there’s probably room for plenty of story. Not sure there’s room for Jenason, though. Hello, title character.
I’m interested to see this one play out. PL’s goal is high compared to the other furry projects on Offbeatr, but as a print product, it’s going to take more costs to release, so it’s not an unreasonable goal and compares well to “similar” projects on Kickstarter. Also, it’s the first solidly gay project I’ve seen on Offbeatr in a few months, No Good Deed came close, but still tended toward general audiences. The only other purely gay project to succeed on Offbeatr this year (also furry) was “Hardblush Boystown” Good luck!
Note: Images used above are included to promote the work of crowdfunding artists, and are owned by the original creator.
Credit where it’s due: “Scared Cats” image used for main page icon adapted from “Scared Cats” by Paul Vaarkamp. Thank you, Paul!
Lucid dreaming warning
I have noticed a lot of lucid dream posts lately and I know it is fun and all, I have experienced it myself. I just want to warn everyone that lucid dreams can cause problems if you are not in the right mind set. I hear to often people say "dreams can't hurt you" this is not true. Lucid dreaming is a lot like hallucinating and with that, our bodies and minds believe what is happening is real. This being said, I am a psychology major and look into a lot of dream studies particularly. I have many articles showing individuals who have had strokes, heart attacks, or just screwed up their dream cycle because of it. All I ask is that you don't try too hard to lucid dream, The is a statement about having to much of a good thing.
submitted by mr_spycrabs[link] [28 comments]
Something about my fursona was a little too plain, so I cranked up the color. Thoughts?
So..How many furs are from Michigan?
I was just curious. You don't have to say from what part. I just haven't seen any other furs from Michigan (other than 2 about a year ago).
submitted by ShadowFur17[link] [18 comments]
Am I a Furry?
I think I might be but not completely? I don't enjoy the full fur suits but when it comes to a woman with animal ears and a tail I go nuts. Is that considered a furry? Are there different levels of furriness or is this something completely different?
submitted by eroriguez93[link] [9 comments]
Free sketches aaaaaaaa
Hey everyone.
I'm feeling shitty so I want to give people gifts to make me feel better aaaaa.
I will do a free sketch your character's head.
Just post your reference and what expression you want.
I'll only be doing this for a maybe a few hours. If I get any takers. Example: http://i.imgur.com/XntGqvK.png
UPDATE: Allrighty I've got enough for now. Sorry to those who missed out but please don't post anymore.
UPDATE 2: Bed time. Might do some more tomorrow night.
[link] [34 comments]
An ongoing problem I have come across
Hello /r/furry first off I would like to start off by saying thank you. I've experienced only a slight amount of the possible joys of the fandom and you guys (and gals) have made this a great experience. but now on to the problem. As a younger person (16) in the fandom I have come to a realization that it is hard for me to truly participate in the activities I would like to attend. Such as cons my age playing a big part in not being able to find someone to room with which is understandable, no car so never being able to go to any meets and it's starting to bum me out. Has anyone else had this problem? Does anyone know of any solutions?
submitted by Astrim[link] [13 comments]
![[link]](http://i.imgur.com/RaTYzxO.jpg){kind=link}
![[link]](http://i.imgur.com/FzLFlNl.jpg){kind=link}
Why are you a furry?
I'm curious.
As for myself, well... I know this probably sounds like something straight out of a soap opera, but... The fandom is the reason I'm alive.
At first, I'll admit it: I joined it for the porn. It ate up a good 40% of my free time. But, the last ten months have been hell for me.
It started off when I was forced to end a relationship in the most harsh way my parents could think of, all because they're against homosexuality, and refuse to live with a "faggot." It left me in a suicidal state, and within two weeks, I had it all planned out. I thought I'd just spend a night on omegle, you know, before ending it all. But then, I met a girl, who... Well, she was sweeter than anyone I've known before that point. She talked me out of it, and within a month, I was no longer suicidal. She and I were speaking no less than three hours a day. She and I helped each other expand our connections with others, and though she and I haven't spoken to each other in about two months, I have a good feeling she's doing great right now.
Time passed, and now, I stand here with a bunch of friends, all who I've met through the furry world, happier than ever.
... allbecausemypeniscouldntcontainitselfonthanksgivingnight
submitted by iamfman[link] [58 comments]
Stan Sakai’s Other Rabbit Warrior
This coming March, fans of Usagi Yojimbo will once again be able to check out one of creator Stan Sakai’s other well-known funny animal creations, Nilson Groundthumper (and his assistant Hermy) in a new full-color hardcover collection from Dark Horse Press. “Experience the rabbit action epic that might have been! More than just a precursor to Stan Sakai’s beloved Usagi Yojimbo, his tales of medieval un-wits Nilson and Hermy are every bit as funny, exciting, and beautifully illustrated as the saga of the familiar rabbit ronin!” Collecting Nilson and Hermy’s complete exploits, the artwork is scanned from Stan Sakai’s original black & white artwork and newly colored by Usagi colorist Tom Luth. Check out The Adventures of Nilson Groundthumper and Hermy (an pre-order it) at the Dark Horse web site.
image c. 2013 Dark Horse Press
Season 2 coming soon...
I'm going to do a few test streams over the next week to make sure it's going to work out. In the mean time, follow us on Twitter and on Furstream.
Our new live stream can be found at http://furstre.am/stream/ClawsAndConvo
Thanks for your patience :3