A Guide to Therianthropy

What is a Therian?

A therianthrope (or therian) is someone who identifies non physically as a non-human animal based on involuntary urges and shifts (more about those later).   There's also a class of animals called theria.  Therianthropy is also known by some as the ability to turn into a werewolf, although that is not the modern day meaning.  Some therians identify as a therian because they believe they were an animal in a past life.  However, therianthropy is not all about past lives at all.  Being a therian is NOT a choice.

"I still don't get it,"
That's okay, you don't have to get it.  Please respect it though.
"Is a therian the same as a furry?"
No, they are completely different.  A therian is what I explained in the beginning, whereas furries are fans of anthropomorphic animals, which are animals with human characteristics, like Mickey Mouse.  Furries sometimes make their own "fursonas", but also sometimes don't.  Some furries choose to dress up in fursuits of their fursona, or characters that aren't original.
"But you guys are CHOOSING to run around on all fours.  It's a choice."
No, it is not.  Therianthropy is NOT wearing gear and doing quadrobics.  Some therians just enjoy the activities.
"What is quadrobics?"
Quadrobics is a sport where someone will walk, run, and jump as an animal would.  It's an actual sport, and many non-therians practice it.  Someone who practices quadrobics is called a "quadrobist."
"What is 'gear'?"
Wearing therian gear is the act of wearing clip-on tails, ear headbands, gloves that look like paws, etc.  Therians often do this, but it does not make you a therian.  Many people who just think its fun to wear ears will often wear therian gear, and it does NOT make them a therian or furry.  Like y'all need to stop hating on kids who think animal ears are fun.
"Therians act like little kids though, grow up."
We don't act like little kids, it's called QUADROBICS.  Q-U-A-D-R-O-B-I-C-S.  And so what if we act like little kids?  It makes us happy.
"Is a therian a zoophile?"
No.  A zoophile is someone who is sexually attracted to non-human animals.  Most therians do not use their identity as an excuse to harm animals (I say most because there are bad people in every fandom, and we need to accept it). 
"I don't support therians, they're weird."
That is your opinion then.  I respect your opinion.  Nobody is forcing you to support us, we're just asking kindly if you could please respect us.
"Gay."
Being a therian does not make you gay.  And anyways, so what if someone's gay?
"It's weird to dress up like an animal and run around on all fours."
We know it's weird, we just don't care.  We're being ourselves, and if that means being weird, then so be it.
"Do therians think they are an animal?"
Typically, no.  We know we are human beings.
"It's hunting season boys, get out the guns."
Death threats are illegal, and not okay.  Please stop.
"Cringe."
So what if we're cringe?  We're doing what we enjoy.
"Is there a limit to theriotypes?"
No, there is not.  There is no limit for theriotypes.  However, if they continue getting more and more then you have a right to be suspicious.  But it doesn't necessarily mean they are fake. 
"Are fake therians truly a problem?"
Not really.

Okay, we're going to end this chapter here.  Thank you for reading this far!