Otherkin is a subculture made up of people who describe themselves as being non-human or having a connection to a mythical archetype in some way, usually believing themselves to be mythological or legendary creatures.The word is a neologism primarily used by members of that subculture, and is somewhat fluid in definition, and in its broadest sense includes those who consider themselves to be animals, aliens, extradimensional beings, and any other non-human entities.

Most otherkin believe that they have non-human aspects that are either spiritual or religious in nature. According to otherkin.net, some claim that they are human in a physical sense, but non-human ("other") in a mental or spiritual one.Some otherkin attribute this discrepancy to reincarnation or having the soul of another species.

According to otherkin.net, there are also otherkin who believe themselves to be biologically non-human, considering themselves to physically be members of the species they associate themselves with, or at least directly descended from the species through intermarriage with humanity. This belief is rarer within the subculture, and sometimes the subject of criticism from otherkin who do not share it.Other otherkin, without necessarily claiming to be genetically related to a supernatural being, profess to be physically influenced in some way by their non-human sides.

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Anne Lang and Mike Fleeman Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:35:00 -0400
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NPR Topics: People & Places

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Remembering Last Reunion Of Civil War Veterans
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:58:00 -0400
Commentator John McDonough recalls the last great reunion of Civil War veterans from the North and South. It took place July 3-5, 1938, on the 75th anniversary of Gettysburg — at Gettysburg, Pa. At the time, the whole country was almost painfully aware that the last living links to a decisive event were about to slip away.
Gov. Ted Strickland On Ohio's Budget Impasse
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Ohio is facing a $3.2 billion shortfall in its finances. Gov. Ted Strickland has proposed slots at racetracks and spending cuts, but has not been able to reach a deal with the Legislature. The state is operating on a temporary budget for the next few days.
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Marines with the 2nd Battalion, 8th Regiment, known as "America's Battalion," are part of the force that has launched a major assault in southern Afghanistan. On the night they went into battle, families at home heard the news — and began reaching out for information about loved ones.
Rare Copy Of Declaration Found In England
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70-Year-Old Reservist, Surgeon Returns To Iraq
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In Defense Of The Flag (Sewn For History Class)
Fri, 03 Jul 2009 16:53:00 -0400
Bob Heft, who sewed the 50-state flag as a high schooler, received a B- for his project. Heft's history teacher accused him of not knowing how many states were in the union at the time. The teacher changed the grade when the design was accepted by Congress.
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For years, oil production has been largely banned in the Gulf of Mexico off the coast of Florida. In large part, that's because of concerns that a spill could devastate the state's tourism industry. But now, some elected officials seem willing to take another look at offshore drilling after years of opposition.
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In a series of interviews between February and June of 2004, the late Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein told an FBI interrogator that he falsely let the world believe Iraq had weapons of mass destruction because he feared revealing that weakness to Iran.
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Mother, Son Tell Of Family Life During War
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French President Nicolas Sarkozy wants to ban Muslim women from wearing the burqa, a religious traditional covering, in public. American Muslim Mehded Maryam Sinclair explains why she appreciates the right to cover her face and head in public, while Muslim feminist and columnist Mona Eltahawy tells why she sees the garment as a source of oppression.

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