Is It a Sin to Be a Therian? A Biblical Perspective

Therianthropy is the concept of identifying with animal spirits or believing one has a connection with animals. Nevertheless it is a subject that is dangerous when it comes to Christianity.

In all honesty truth, I can not see why human beings would want to be identified with or have any connection with animals. As one who has journeyed through many questions of faith and identity, I understand the complexity of the spiritual realm. So in answering the question, of whether it is a sin to be a Therian, I will go far beyond just Christian theology, but rather into deeper spiritual truth to bring your pondering to clarity and peace.

I want to leave you with something before you read, I often tell people that just because something is “Spiritual” doesn’t make it godly. I might step on a few toes with this article, but when it comes to theology or my faith there is no grey area, it is either a spade or it is a shovel, and there is nothing in between.

Understanding Therianthropy

According to Therianthropy individuals believe they have a deep connection with a particular animal spiritually or psychologically. You may hear them say “My spirit animal is a wolf or a tiger.”

The connection can manifest in different ways such as identifying your characteristics with an animal, feeling kinship with the animal or even thinking you possess some aspect of the animal’s spirit. It is often discussed in modern spirituality or psychology. In some cultures, there are totems involved, some in the form of wood carvings to resemble the animal spirit operating as a guide in that individual’s life.

Are Therian Beliefs Considered a Sin According to the Bible?

The Bible does not explicitly mention therian or therianthropy or the connection of being identified with animal spirits. However, it contradicts it entirely. Now, dear reader, I believe you will find it entertaining to do a bible study with me on this topic. Let’s start from the beginning.

Genesis 1:26-28( KJV) ²⁶ And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

“And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness:” . This sentence clearly states that you as a human being are not created in any image other than God’s. You can read the entire Genesis 1 if you would like, but I can guarantee that you will find that you are not created in any other image, but God’s image. All other organisms were ordered to multiply and produce fruit of the same kind. Human beings were the only part of creation that God said “Make man in our Image” This automatically implies our superiority over nature and the animals. The next group of sentences confirms this: “And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and the cattle, and all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” These sentences tell us that man is meant to have dominance over the animals and all of the earth, not to be their equal but to rule over them.

In verse 28, God clearly instructs man to live in dominion over everything upon the earth and subdue it. “And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.”

Okay, let us wrap up our study of Genesis 1:26-28. I believe we can agree that it is biblically evident that man should not be seen as equal or subdued to any animal or spirit. Man is the “Alpha” creation. So within ourselves, we have no connection and will never have any connection with animals, whether it be spiritual, physical, or psychological.

Now we look at two of the 10 commandments, But before we do I want to just clear something up. These commandments are God’s Commandments, and just because they are written in the Old Testament does not render them invalid. They are still as valid as saying the sky is blue. It is the commandment of love, the root of Christianity.

Exodus 20:3-6 ³ “Thou shalt have no other gods before me.⁴ Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.⁵ Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Following the guides of animals places you in a position of doing as the animal implies you should do. Following their character means you act in the manner in which they would act. Which is rather dull if you think about it, if my theriotype was a monkey then it means I had to act like a monkey and react like a monkey. Meaning what a monkey tells me to do that I need to do,- ridiculous.- Anyway, let’s get back on track, they start to serve as our gods. We no longer turn to God for help but rather to the therian animal we identify with. This means breaking the first commandment and denying God as the only God.”Thou shalt have no other gods before me.”

I believe the next part of our study is pretty obvious. We all allow statues of animals in our house or paintings of such or even Therian masks of the animal. We get so attached to it, should it break we will lose our tempers or get emotional. In other words, we Idolize it. People do get offended when corrected, but the word of God is the word of God. “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.” “No graven images, or any likeness” means no statues, no pictures, no masks and no paintings of any sort. This is why I believe the Catholics are in the wrong making those paintings and statues of the angels. – What God has called a curse, we can not call a blessing.

The consequence of bowing down to them or praying to them for guidance is great; if you bow down to them and consider them above God, He will punish you, even unto the fourth generation “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;”

Now before we do the final study, I want to warn you the scripture is potent. But if it does not cut through bone and marrow it is not the word of God. My beloved reader, again I wish to remind you: that I am not known for soothing itching ears. I am known for brutal honesty, and when it comes to the word of God, I don’t take the scriptures lightly.

Romans 1:21-25 (KJV) ²¹ Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.²² Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,²³ And changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.²⁴ Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonor their own bodies between themselves:²⁵ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.

Let us dissect it together. Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. – This scripture talks about reprobates, people who deliberately sin against God. They know there is a God and that He is very much alive, but they don’t acknowledge him as God. They don’t live by His will and His ways. They follow their own ways. The result of this is vanity and darkened hearts. In other words, they become deceitful and filled with all kinds of evil. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,²³ And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. This speaks not only of idol worship, but therianthropy is nothing else but Idol worship. Anything that you are more dependent on than God Himself, becomes an Idol. Believing that you have a connection with an animal spirit is not Glorifying your Creator, in whose image you were formed. This verse clearly indicates that Therianthropy or being a therian is a disgrace to Christianity! In the end, it results in worshiping the creature and not the creator.

Finally a fair warning to those who practice this abomination: Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:²⁵ Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed forever. God doesn’t give up but gives them up to their desires. Because they constantly rebuke Him and think they have become wise, God handed them over to their own dirt. They dishonor themselves, as they dishonored Him. They start to treat themselves as the animals they worship. Dis honoring and defiling their bodies. You may say to me, “But God is a God of love.” Yes, I get it. But if your husband or wife keeps cheating on you, to such an extent that they no longer acknowledge you as their spouse, will you not do the same? Will you not gather divorce papers and give them over to their desires? God is Holy, He is not a toy.

There are places where people are metaphorically compared to animals in the bible. But this is to express teaching for your understanding. It has nothing to do with Therian beliefs or having a specific connection with an animal. Jesus Christ is described as the Lamb of God, He didn’t have a spiritual connection with God. He was described as a Lamb because he was sacrificed. To believe that Christ has a spiritual connection with a lamb and that a lamb should be worshipped is an abomination to God. Christ is metaphorically described with a lamb but not defined. Therefore it is okay to metaphorically describe your characteristics, but in no way define yourself as a definite animal.

Although animals have been metaphorically used in biblical text to describe nations or beings. It does not connect these nations or beings to the animals as Therianthropy suggests.

From a Spiritual perspective

To connect yourself or believe you are connected to any spirit other than the Holy Spirit of God, will change your entire behavior. Any other spirit other than the Holy Spirit can be considered demonic. If it changes your nature from being the image of God, it shouldn’t be there. Understand your Identity as a creature, created in God’s image. Believing that your spirit aligns with the spirit of an animal and defining your characteristics with the animal, changes your Identity. Yes, all creatures are created by God, but not all are created in the Image of God. Changing your Identity will compromise your faith and will cause you to sin.

So to answer our Question, not only is Therianthropy or Therian beliefs a sin in the context of Christianity. It is an abomination that should not be practiced. It is not only Idol worship, but a doorway to demonic infiltrations in your life. Changing the nature and identity God has created you in, which is His image, is not just a sin it is the worst kind of disgrace you can bring upon yourself and your relationship with God.

Readers, I urge you to remain faithful to yourself and your identity. Be happy that you are Human. Be happy that you are created in the image of the creator. Be happy that you are in dominion over all things. Do not call things holy that God calls unholy.