Vegetarians/Vegans have been telling me this for as long as I can remember but have never actually given any scientifically defensible arguments for abandoning meat products in a diet. What they have done is given scientifically defensible arguments for reducing meat consumption (something that I believe should occur) and scientifically defensible arguments for changing farming/ranching practices(also something that I believe should occur).
I guess you missed my other replies. I'll expand a bit as well if you like. It's been shown consistently that reducing red meat consumption reduces risks for heart disease. It's been shown consistently that reducing red meat in the diet reduces the risk of many forms of cancer. White meat is better, but then there are ethical issues associated. Farming practices only go so far as to satisfy economic means. Agricultural ethics that are absolute with regards to animal welfare, don't afford farmers with decent enough margins to survive the volatile changes in agricultural enterprise.
Reducing red meat might not be enough for someone who also is aware of the ethical issues surrounding animal agriculture. Draw the strings together.
These scientifically defensible arguments are not enough for you to make that choice, obviously. There's nothing in those scientific arguments that says someone has to accept the status quo.
Calling it a new religion is logically absurd. It's not new, it's not a religion. It's a trend. Are you going to call the "eat local practitioners" followers of a religion as well?
I also get the "Insert celebrity de jour here was a vegetarian" nonsense because most vegetarians I've talked to are suckers for the halo effect.
And you feel compelled to bring this up, despite the fact that I have not made any such statements. Save your rhetoric for those who will respond in kind.