Just a theory

[Hyraxylos]

I'd suggest studying the exhibited attitudes of animals for insight about the subject. Many who are able to comprehend any notion of the universe revolving around something will assert the following claims:

1. They > you.
2. Their species is the most important in the universe.
3. That particular individual is the most important of their species.

I think this belief arises naturally as a motive for selfishness which in turn assists as a survival mechanism, and it's possible this might be behind the notion of humans depicting their gods as human-looking.
In terms of the "true" superior creature in the world, I can believe that one species of organism is superior to all others, but that won't remain the case forever. Since we all gain at the expense of some other creature, the constant flow of evolution leads to lifeforms always looking for new ways to one-up each other in their desire to survive.
_________________
The statement below this one is false.
The statement above this one is true.
This statement is false.

[Eternity]

I do believe, but do not ask others to believe. that dragons are indeed a kind of superbeing. That is why I believe that the higher power takes that form.

That was what I was trying to say. I'm just not very good at explaining things?

I don't believe that otherkin have to be just dragons.

[DarkDragon]

[salaiek]

I would think that when it comes to the subject of "Higher Beings" or "The Ultimate Being/Power", that there is no species associated with it. It would be, if anything, pure energy, containing all and none at the same time. It could appear as a human, a dragon, or anything else one could perceive it as, but at it's core, it is none of those.

The idea of there being a Higher Being is largely non-physical, so I see no reason why one would 'be' a specific race/form when race/form is a largely physical matter.

[Jaden]

Ah, religion. Gotta love it. I just took a comparative religions class. It was a very interesting experience. We read all about the world's major religions and learned how they believe. We were asked if we had ever had an experience that we could properly describe as religious.

I, as a child, switched between a few different denominations, from Brethren, to Baptist, to Episcopalian, et cetra. I was baptized, I went to church every Sunday, I have taken communion, I was named the godmother of the daughter of my childhood and lifelong friend. All these things I have done, and never once did I feel that I was experiencing something religious. I think that religious experience is simply an instance of action followed by reaction, which produces the experience.

All I know is that I am here now. I live life in the moment, and don't worry about what came before or what will come after.

As for religion being the easy way out... that is a possibility. I think its a way for someone to cope with what they can't understand, or refuse to accept. Death, for instance. I think religion is just a way to control the masses *shrug*

I think the closest I ever came to a religion was when I researched Satanism. No, not worshiping "Satan" but more of a worship of the self. Its more related to what is considered a "pagan" religion, I suppose? I think I came to this point by realizing something a long time ago, "No one is looking out for you but you. You are number one on your list, so start treating yourself like you care."

Now, I never practiced it, but read about it. It seemed to fit my life.

I know many of you may cringe to think about it, but look it up. It is interesting. Here is something to get you started:
http://www.modernsatanism.com/satanicpoints.html

My brother died when I was seven. He was nine. He was supposed to die within 30 days of his birth, and when he didn't, he suffered seizures every day, 4 or 5 really bad seizures. Some may say that I was blessed, that he was blessed by God to live that long. If that is blessed, I don't want to see what cursed is. My brother should never have lived. He should have died. You may say that is cruel. You can't know what a blessing that would have been.

At the age of seven, I knew there wasn't a God. If there was, he would not have put my brother through that. He didn't talk, walk, or eat through his mouth. He was completely disabled, confined to a wheelchair that he had to be strapped into. Look up Trisomy 13--that was his disease. I knew at the age of seven that putting my poor brother, who couldn't comprehend anything, through such a hell meant that no one was looking out for humanity.

I guess what Im trying to say, in short, is that the worship of something greater than yourself doesnt make any sense to me. I dont even think of the ones I love higher than myself. Its a self-help thing I guess. I cannot see the purpose in believing in something that you cannot see, hear, taste, touch, or smell.
_________________
The salmon sisters: bringers of justice, harbingers of the smelly fish <* )) ><
---Thanks to Dfangd for my new Avatar--again!!!

[Eternity]

In response to Jaden:

I'm very sorry about your brother. That's a horrible experience to go through, I am sure. And I can totally see your view in not really believing in a higher power.

I too, used to worship Satan, and before that I tried many other religions as well. Satanism was the first religion where I really felt...well, religious. But horrible things started happening to me, to my family, and all around me, from the very day that I really committed to it. I blamed that on Satanism, and once I "quit", bad things stopped happening. I was, and still am, quite confused. I have my own religion now, as I described in the OP, and I'm pretty happy with it. No, I don't feel as....powerful....as I did in Satanism as I do now, but I can say that I am a LOT happier and definitely less selfish and much more compassionate.

I guess what I am trying to say is that " to each his/her own". What may be right for someone, may not be right for someone else. But whatever works for you, and gives you hope and strength and keeps you going from day to day....all the more power to you!

And again, I am so sorry for what happened with your brother. I just hope that one day you can feel that he is at peace, and find within yourself peace as well.

[Jaden]

[DarkDragon]

A clarification, as Jaden said. Satanism is not the worship of the Devil. It is a worship of self, sort of an uber-hedonism.
_________________
May you be in heaven a half hour before the devil knows you're dead.
-An Irish toast