There is no scientific reason to give up meat in ones diet. There is a lot of misinformation put out by the proponents of vegetarianism/veganism. The only real reason to embrace this eating choice is on a philosophical level. Therefore, is this a type of cult or religion?
Cannuck, I wouldn't say that the
only reason to give up meat is because of a philosophical choice. I have been a vegetarian for a large part of my life and it had nothing to do with religion. It was the way I was raised. A decision my mother made that was based on scientific evidence. Her sons medical condition.
My brother was born with a condition called Phenylketonuria (PKU). He is missing an enzyme that is used to break down phenylalanine. Because of this he is unable to eat foods high in phenylalanine such as meat, fish, dairy, and nuts. He is in such a vegan, and has never had any meat and extremely limited dairy, only butter. His diet is very strict as every piece of food that he ingests has to be calculated into his total daily equivalents.
My mother decided early on that she was not going to make one meal for us and a separate meal for him. She was not going to have her youngest wondering why he didn't get to eat what everyone else did, so it was one meal for everyone. No meat, and very litter dairy (there was no way I was giving up cheese:lol:!)
Now obviously I can eat what I want, I am able to shop and cook for myself but I still don't eat much meat. I wouldn't call myself vegetarian anymore but really only eat meat 2 or 3 times a month. Eating some meat, especially red meat, doesn't seem to agree with my stomach at all and same with a lot of dairy products.
So for some there is scientific reasons for why they don't eat meat, and some it is just preference. I wouldn't doubt that there are people out there that base it on religious beliefs. That is their choice, just like eating meat is yours.