Is it ok for vegetarians to use fossil fuels?

Question

Since oil comes from diatoms which are animals (NOT plants) wouldnt it be safe to use other sources of fuel?

Answer 1

I did not find anything on Diatoms in Petroleum or as part of fossil fuels. However, my quick search on WIkipedia does not rule that out at all.

What I *did* find is that Diatoms are NOT animals. They are either placed in the kingdom Chromista or in Protista. Diatoms are considered Algae.

Even if they were classified as animals, while a vegan may try to avoid their use, there is only so much that can be done in today's society. A vegan may work to change the reliance on fossil fuels, but because of reality, it would be nearly impossible to use NO fossil fuels in the US, or most 1st world countries. Wood to build a home would have been cut & transported. Foods at the store have been harvested and transported. Medications, Clothing, and daily items will all have touched some sort of fossil fuel.

The problems that moral people run into in this world are that sometimes the world just hasn't caught up with morality. But, that doesn't mean they should give up. Leaving a smaller footprint will always be better than a larger one. I'd rather have someone try to be better and to be 75% ethical, moral, and good, than to refuse it 100% because of some stupid "ALL OR NOTHING" mentality.

Answer 2

Yes. To be a vegetarian is to not eat meat or animals. Using fossil fuels isn't consuming any animal into your body.

Answer 3

In my opinion, yes. I'm not going to be eating it, and the fossils weren't animals that were once killed for consumption (most likely).

Answer 4

its fine, so long as yore not vegan. and anyway, they died w/o being slaughtered, unlike your everyday burger.

Answer 5

Not if it's ingested!
It causes extreme GAS!!