Felinists are committed to live by these principles:
Respect human beings who respect you, and greet humans of unknown reputation with the assumption that they will respect you. (But also use common sense. If you're neurodivergent and know about the unconscious bias that neurotypical people have toward some forms of neurodivergence, for example, you're allowed to be cautious.)
Respect animals.
Respect yourself.
Being unnecessarily cruel to humans or animals, especially cats, is not allowed. If someone else is being cruel to a cat, you may kick their ass. (But...I have to say please keep local law in mind and don’t try to be John Wick.)
Cats choose you. You don't choose a cat. (You may have decided which cat to bring home, but they decide which human in that home is theirs.)
Respect the Cat Distribution System. (If a cat comes into your home on their own or you find a cat in need of a home, take them in if you reasonably can, but don't overburden yourself. Help to find a home for cats you can't take in, if you're able.)
Love your cats and be mindful of their boundaries, but be a good cat custodian. If that means a limit on treatos and regular visits to the V-E-T, it’s understandable.
You don’t have to have your own cat if it’s not practical for your present circumstances. Just be good to the cats around you.
Look to the cats around you for life lessons. Cats have good boundaries. Cats don't take others' bullshit. What can you learn from your own cat?
Anyone who follows these tenets can identify as a Felinist. If being a good caretaker for cats is something with a spiritual aspect for you and you follow the tenets, you can identify as a Felinist priest/priestess/priestex. In either case, you don't have to register with anyone...but if you'd like your name listed here, the Cat Herder's email address is listed in the page footer.
I want to be clear that the founders consider it important to respect the well-being and personal autonomy of BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, and neurodivergent people, as well as religious minorities and people who are marginalized by systems such as caste.
Additionally, while you can practice any other religions that have compatible tenets alongside Felinism, it was created by Pagans and information provided by the founders is likely to have a Pagan influence.
If anything in the prior two paragraphs offends you, you're probably better off making your own thing.
Contact the Cat Herder: alleywitch17@gmail.com