The Furry Fandom Part 3; Why All the Shame in the Game?
Well, well, it seems that we have struck a nerve with our Furry series. In the two part introduction we outline the likely deflections used to refute criticism of this group, and guess what? In the roughly 50 comments that followed from Furries and Furry advocates, all of the familiar defenses were used. Those who read our blog will recognize these exact same arguments from our New Calvinist friends. Primarily, these arguments seek to discredit the source of the information through subtle and not so subtle character assassination, and the go-to mainstay of questioning motives for writing the series.
Likewise, it is said that I only write about Protestantism because I experienced, “church hurt.” In this case, supposedly, I am only writing this series because I lost a custody case. Truly, there is no new thing under the sun. Note that credentials are really important to the detractors, but the credentials of firsthand experience don’t count because that involves “motives.” The issue being brought to your attention by coming into your life disqualifies you, and you must also be a world-renowned author to be taken seriously. Oh, and of course, we need to footnote every obvious observation. Don’t worry, plenty of referencing is forthcoming. And, as it turns out, we are totally in our venue because Furries have a strong presence in the church. Fursure, church wouldn’t want to miss out on anything trending in the culture. However, it did surprise me in regard to the zeal with which Churchians defended Furryism.
Be sure of this: whether cults or predatory subcultures, their worst nightmare is the internet and the way it empowers individuals.
As stated in the introductions, parts one and two, Fandom fulfills various and sundry personal needs which draws people into the movement. Our focus is the WHY, not the WHAT, but the WHAT will be focused on later in the series as a way of showing how ideology always leads to some sort of action. Keep in mind: Fandom is a way of life and an identity that takes no prisoners; it is a hardcore ideology rivaled by no religion whatsoever. Whether 911 Truthers, Never Trumpers, NOW (National Organization of Women), or Planned Parenthood, zeal for their ideology can’t hold a candle to the Furries.
So, why all of the shame in their game?
You want a reference? Here it is: in the, at least 9 years that we know of, that is, Susan and I, maybe longer, the family member involved in this group kept it from us. Also, his Furry family—that is, those living with him deemed family (we will be looking at the Furry family concept)—also kept it from us. Said family member was also involved in Larping and is a Trekker, but was always very open about those hobbies. Susan even made the uniforms for the Larping. But why was the Fandom kept from us?
Because it’s not a hobby; that’s a lie. Fandom is a lifestyle and contra-reality deemed superior to normative reality complete with things like its very own English language ( http://www.furcen.org/fgc/glossary.html#S ).
That’s why there is shame in their game. Fandom is a hardcore sect off the beaten path of reality. Older people join this sect to fulfill personal needs resulting from shortcomings, but the recruitment of adolescents is a major concern because those shortcomings are then projected onto children who would not necessarily develop those shortcomings. The big one is low self-esteem. Obviously, if you think highly of yourself for good reasons that are true, you don’t need to be something else, least of all an animal. Furthermore, self-esteem is earned in reality, but in the Fandom reality, you can purchase your self-esteem through a contra-reality. Secondly, as with all contra-realities, you can dismiss your guilt by being someone else or something else. Adolescents need to be encouraged to esteem themselves highly and to engage in personal building, not an endeavor to be something else that implies lack of individual worth by default. Person-building is hard work, choosing a contra-reality to identify with is easy.
No shame in the game because it’s just a hobby? Then why do Furries need hundreds of instruction videos and articles on how to tell people you are a Furry? Do you really need an instruction video on how to tell your friends you have taken up golf as a hobby? So, here comes the criticism;
I am not citing references…
…as if you couldn’t simply google it and have hundreds of references inside of 5 seconds. Nevertheless, here you go:
And, if you are a teen, or younger, you need an instruction video on how to tell your parents you want to join the 4H club? Or the Drama club, or the Debate club? Nevertheless, here you go:
Furries have to keep secret who they are because it’s not merely a hobby; a hobby is something you do for entertainment, a lifestyle identity is who you are which is an ideology that leads to living a certain way, and people know it. That’s why a city councilman had to resign when his “secret life” as a Furry was discovered.
The following posts will be categorized by the Furry reality, acceptance, and coping, and how these relate to the Furry philosophy leading to its behavior.
paul
Paul's Passing Thoughts 
Well done on the reporting. The furry mentality has been unmasked. Teach us more, Paul.
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Oh, I plan to. I am retired, well fed, and ready.
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“Fandom is a lifestyle and contra-reality deemed superior to normative reality”
Paul, for those of us who live in the normative reality and come to this blog frequently, one cannot help but notice the hypocrisy of someone who would like us to believe they have nothing to hide or be ashamed of yet would choose to comment anonymously.
Furthermore, those who comment using their “Fandom identities” actually make your point for you. LOL
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Andy, yes, as you know we usually don’t post anonymous comments…unless it makes our point.
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So regardless if it proves your point or not, you filter your responses giving the illusion of support or opposition, cherry picking to augment people’s perception of this series. Regardless if I agree or not with “furries”, you chastise them for living in an altered reality, yet you seem to be doing that quite well here. If you can’t argue your points do actual research, instead of resorting to puffery and correcting grammar, then don’t bother posting it. Regardless of subject matter. I was hoping to find actual information in this series but thusfar, I am grossly underwhelmed. This isn’t a research group, it’s a vanity/vent session.
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Jill (your real name I am sure): Obviously, I corrected the grammar of those who came here criticizing my academic credentials. At any rate, the Furries have been given leeway here because they are newcomers to this blog, but it is now time to implement our longstanding rules. Comments must address specific points in the post and not broad statements that attack the character of the author. Per what we are used to from other detractors, not one point made in any of these posts have been addressed while claiming no points are in the posts to begin with. Take Part 3 for example; a point was made clearly regarding the difference between a hobby and a sect with the much lauded references you all demanded. Another point was made on the idea that all Furries are not sexual deviants. Well, if a community is a lake, you don’t swim in it if 20% of the fish are man-eating sharks. Um, it’s an illustration cupcake, so please don’t respond that there aren’t any sharks in a lake. Such would fit the reasoning of your comment. Andy, be advised, this bunch must now abide by our moderation guidelines.
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Just gonna leave this here. Warning: contains explicit language.
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If my “family” was known for this kind of public shaming and hate speech, I wouldn’t want to tell them anything either. Having open communication with family members instead of looming shame and hatred from family could easily prevent videos like this from having existed in the first place. Ask any homosexual from a bigoted home, they experience the same hatred, and in some cases even physical violence. Their shame comes from their parents, not themselves. So given your responses, and public shaming, I don’t blame your family member for not saying anything and keeping it to themselves.
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No, said family member kept it a secret because of the arrangement that was going on in the particular home by the “Furry Family.” And Anon, as a policy, we don’t post anonymous comments here, so, unless you stop being a coward and post your name, your future comments will not be posted.
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Your comment does not address any specific points in the post, but only attacks the author with baseless criticism. This is a common method used by those who have no argument for their ideology, and therefore adds nothing to the conversation. Hence, your comment is not posted because it fails to meet our moderation standards.
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Comment not written in a way that can be understood. Unintelligible.
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I am wondering if Jill argues her “serious” altered reality points wearing a giant furry cat head? It’s probably not a good idea to try to project reason and logic while dressed as say, a giant mouse.
In one of the posts I watched a chubby young man or boy descend into a form of angst and loud emotional distress defending “furries”. Behind him, not far away was an adult, in what looks to be a recliner. Insanity.
What a waste of human potential. He was conditioned to be an emotional cripple. And we will have to foot the bill.
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Oh, my eyes are open now I finally see the truth. I was blind but I’m truly starting to see after rereading the post it all makes sense. It is all clear now. How could I have been so blind? I just had an epiphany.
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