are vegetarians more ethical by not eating meat?

[KichigaiNeko]

The majority of European cultures were based on "Beef" as a sign of wealth.

The vegetarian movment have yet to address this one superstition your average punter has hidden away.

[justin]

I grew up, grilling, smoking( not the grass smoking), bar-b-qing, and frying meat. Reds were always a favorite and never could understand how some don't like it. Jerky, steak, brisket, burgers are my favorite. Mmm protein

[jstrodel]

We've evolved as omnivores.
It is our genetic pre-disposition to eat anything... and our parents or caretakers should teach us what not to eat. That's why kids just thrust everything in their mouths.
It would be disrespectful to our ancestors to abstain from eating something that allowed them to live.

On the other hand, as long as you get your proteins, and all other nutrients you need, I don't care where you get them from... and your ancestors probably don't care either....as long as you don't get them from me or my family.

Why should people view evolution as a quasi-religious belief that implies any sort of specific course of action?

[genkaus]

My religiously and culturally vegetarian Aunts used to make similar argument to my Dad. According to them, it is unconscionable to kill and eat another living entity. My dad's reply was "What is more immoral? To kill defenseless plants who can't even move or to kill animals who could atleast try to run or fight back." They don't discuss the subject anymore.

[pocaracas]

We've evolved as omnivores.
It is our genetic pre-disposition to eat anything... and our parents or caretakers should teach us what not to eat. That's why kids just thrust everything in their mouths.
It would be disrespectful to our ancestors to abstain from eating something that allowed them to live.

On the other hand, as long as you get your proteins, and all other nutrients you need, I don't care where you get them from... and your ancestors probably don't care either....as long as you don't get them from me or my family.

Why should people view evolution as a quasi-religious belief that implies any sort of specific course of action?

Because evolution has endowed us with some specific sets of actions, such as self-preservation - present in all animal species.

[fr0d0]

I think I'm unethical in eating meat and I freely admit it. There's a contradiction and I live with that.

[PyroManiac]

I must say, Steak is my favorite.

[The Magic Pudding]

[TaraJo]

On the other hand, as long as you get your proteins, and all other nutrients you need, I don't care where you get them from...

Your body doesn't process plant based proteins as well as animal based proteins. I'm not saying it can't be done, but you have to be a bit more careful with your diet.

As for me, I'm way too picky an eater to go vegetarian. Cut out meat and there's rare few things I can really eat. I suppose I could cut out beef and pork and get by alright since so much of the meat I eat is turkey, anyway.

[Ike963]

Unethical to eat meat? Yeah, make that argument to someone who's starving.

Should animals be treated better? Absolutely! However, I feel the boycott of the meat industry hasn't been effective in really changing how animals are raised. Boycotts can and have worked, but I feel that some form of tax incentive would change everything. Tax breaks to free range farms, farms that don't use steroids or growth hormones, etc. would put more pressure on them to change. I feel shaming of these practices by the press helps too.