Furs and Perents

[Zedian Spark]

My parents are the most close minded people you'll ever meet and they are very religious (Lutheran Christian) and they don't exactly support me in anything other than stuff like robotics...  I need advice on what to say to my parents when they do find out I am a furry and give explanations to them on what they are and how that dreaded stereotype is wrong about most people.  They already know I draw dragons, but not like furry art or stuff for other people.  Can anybody please help me?

[Shadowkai89]

Well I would recommend finding any video of Uncle Kage explaining what furry is on youtube first, in my opinion he explains what the furry fandom is the best.  If you can't find one of his videos, this is what I would do if I was in this situation, is I would sit my parents down, say "Hey I know this might sound weird, but I am furry, what is a furry? Well it's people who like cartoon animals so much that create there own charater, or sona, we draw art of our sona, write storys about them, even make music of them, and well a few of them even make costumes to see there sona come to life. It's a fun group and well there is a few bad things, a lot of things are good in the fandom" Then I would show them maybe some pg rated furry drawings, nothing with nakedness or sexual stuff.

[Nik Vulper]

There's no reason to go on the defensive about "bad stuff", if you make that part of your initial explanation, it's just going to make them more concerned.

Furry is just a thing you do.  No different than joining a club at school or an adult joining the Moose Lodge, it's a good way to socialize on the internet and meet new people.

You're over 18, nobody says you need to tell your parents about every little detail in your life.  However you know your parents infinitely better than anyone on this forum, and there's no standard arrangement of how parents act and react. 

If you think they won't accept it, then why make your life more difficult by forcing them to?

[PKMotors]

Hey Sparky,

Just checked through your journals and I don't see any about you telling your parents, but still I wanted to write you a little note to think about. ... No need to tell your parents anything. Just think of it like this, would you tell your parents in some sort of "coming out of the closest" way that you are into air soft? I mean, I don't think you have done that so why would you need to do it to another interest you have. It's not something that's like, bad or anything. I haven't told my parents anything, if they find out whatever. The only thing my mom thinks I am is gay 'cause I like rabbits too much. My whole family knows I like rabbits more than a normal dude does. So what? They don't care. If you do want to gauge their response on furry then turn on that episode of "My Strange Addiction" and see if they complain about the furry or the couch eater more. My mom wasn't even phased by the furry, she was more interested in the couch eater. But, yeah, no need to have a "coming out" thing for your parents, it's your life and there isn't anything wrong with what you are doing, you know.

[TechnoDragon]

...I wanted to write you a little note to think about. ... No need to tell your parents anything.

.

You're over 18, nobody says you need to tell your parents about every little detail in your life....
...If you think they won't accept it, then why make your life more difficult by forcing them to?

I'm afraid I have to back up Mr. Vulper and PK on this one. If your parents are the close-minded sort, it's best to let these things alone. If they are cool, you may want to consider it. Mine certainly weren't about a couple of other things about me, so I will probably never tell them about my furry lifestyle, and I'm 25. I see no need to when they have had a past history of intolerence.

[Tycho]

Hi Sparks,

Um,
I am one of those "Lutheran Christians" too.
I'm also a parent.

... and now, a fursuiter, though I generally call it costuming or freelance mascotting when no one knows what I'm talking about.
You can draw dragons & enjoy some parts of the hobby, but you do have to be aware that like many other things, there are aspects to the fandom that are not really compatible with Christian life. Especially the "adult themed art" you may run into online. I personally stay the heck away from anything like that. Resolve to not include them within your life and you can probably coexist as a furry Christian. Do that, and then figure out what you really stand for. In essence, you need to be filled with integrity and stand by your word always so that people always know who you are and can trust your word. Once you do that, you need not fear talking about your furry hobby, because you will be able to spell out where you go, where you don't go, and specifically what you do with it.
 
I don't know if it'll help but perhaps you might want to browse the following:

http://tychoaussie.deviantart.com

You'll even find a few photographs where I took my costume to a mid-week church meetup & surprised our new pastor.

http://youtu.be/f28coFmdXjc

...Here's an Community Connections interview of how I use Tycho Aussie to support my local community.

http://www.homtv.net/index.asp?view=news&news_id=1711

Hope that helps!

[TechnoDragon]

You can draw dragons & enjoy some parts of the hobby, but you do have to be aware that like many other things, there are aspects to the fandom that are not really compatible with Christian life. Especially the "adult themed art" you may run into online. I personally stay the heck away from

I think Tycho brings up some really good points here. I am not Christian, but I cuncur about the avoidance of any "adult themed" art, I believe it's influence only promotes dependence and addiction and can only do harm.

In essence, you need to be filled with integrity and stand by your word always so that people always know who you are and can trust your word. Once you do that, you need not fear talking about your furry hobby, because you will be able to spell out where you go, where you don't go, and specifically what you do with it.
 

YES! I could not agree with this more. Vitrue and Integrity are extremely important, and will shape you and your relationships throughout your life. Having the reputation to share things like being a furry and have people say "Well he supports it, so it must be okay!" takes a while, but if you can do it none of your friends will doubt you.

Again, great points Tycho
TD