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I'd rather not make a poll for this, since there could potentially be many answers. It is not simply a Yes or No question. Some people have mixed and/or many opinions about such a question like this. Do you believe in the existence of Werewolves? Half man, half wolf. (I.E my profile picture).
Personally, I think they are real to a certain extent. They're not the bloodthirsty killers that go out on full moons. They're pretty much normal people that live with a shapeshifting superpower. That is my opinion. Although science can argue this, science can argue biblical (Holy Bible) events that seem like BS as well (like the red sea parting or Jesus reviving himself). Anyways, I'm going a bit too in depth with this paragraph.
What do y'all think? Do you believe in Lycanthropes (Werewolves)?
There is always a "Basis" for myths.
Dracula.....Vlad the impaler...
Not too sure where Werewolves come in, but this is one part of it...
My own guess is that belief in lycanthropy comes from remnants of shamanistic beliefs (totem animals and shapeshifting) that were prevalent in pre-Christian European cultures. Many of these beliefs were carried down as folk beliefs by the people even after they converted to Christianity. So when they saw monstrous behavior on the part of psychopaths and serial killers they attributed the behavior to the old beliefs.
Not too sure where Werewolves come in, but this is one part of it...
Pre-historic peoples had to learn to hunt to survive. They did it by watching wolf packs. It worked its way in to their religion and culture, so that the hunting brotherhoods "became" wolves (figuratively, not literally), even wearing wolfskins, etc.
Shapeshifting varies from culture to culture, but it is almost always the dominant predator in the area. In Europe and North America, it was wolves. In northern Europe and Asia, it was bears. In Japan it was foxes. In South America, it was the jaguar. In Africa the leopard. Among Celtic fisherman it was seals.
The psychological malady known as "lycanthropy" really didn't get mixed in to it until well into the Middle Ages.
But nearly everything people think they know about werewolves was actually invented by movies and comic books and was more inspired by Jekyll & Hyde and Freud than the actual werewolves of folklore. My favorite example was the silver bullet. Silver as a weapons against werewolves is found NOWHERE in the original folklore, because Siodmak made it up for the movies. His source? The Lone Ranger.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Yeledaf
Stay away from him. He'll rip your lungs out, Jim.
I'd like to meet his tailor.
Quote:
Originally Posted by txfriend
If you believe in gods, angels and miracles, believing in werewolves or mythical creatures is not a great leap.
I was going to answer - no. But, your analogy is correct. Since there is no good without evil, then if I believe that benevolent angels and miracles exist, I MUST believe that demons and black magic exists.
I am reminded of the Hindu demon Rakshasa. It is a big hairy creature with two large fangs and superhuman strength that can shapeshift and appear before you as someone you trust, all in an effort to eat your flesh.
Good point!
But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe--and tremble! (James 2:18-19)
My own guess is that belief in lycanthropy comes from remnants of shamanistic beliefs (totem animals and shapeshifting) that were prevalent in pre-Christian European cultures. Many of these beliefs were carried down as folk beliefs by the people even after they converted to Christianity. So when they saw monstrous behavior on the part of psychopaths and serial killers they attributed the behavior to the old beliefs.
If you believe in gods, angels and miracles, believing in werewolves or mythical creatures is not a great leap.
And, there's one of the main problems with religion, it gets people believing all kinds of thing that are simply not possible and not true.
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