Quite the controversy over "vegetarian/vegan" and those who do not eat any meat besides fish...?

Question

Pescatarians, or piscivore, or whatever else.

I choose not to eat meat because I believe that a vegetarian diet is healthier and the benefits of vegetarianism outweigh the benefits of eating meat. I don't believe that i am a "vegetarian" because I do enjoy fish on occasion.
I know that a fish is not a vegetable, hello, vegetables don't have bones! But at the end of the day, does it really matter? People have the freedom of choice, and can make their own decisions on health and ethics. Unless it really makes you feel more secure to call people names, why bother with labels and judging everyone else based on what you see as the "right" way to be.
Sure, animals are treated unethically sometimes, and I can understand that, but I'm not going to let trying to save the world one chicken at a time take over my life. I respect people who try to take such things into consideration, but it's harder to do when they go ridiculously overboard and insist on complete control.

Am I right, or wrong?

Answer 1

I think, for the most part, you're quite correct. A lot of veg heads are so nasty about their OPINIONS, often claiming them to be facts, that they merely succeed in turning people off from the message they're trying to give, whatever it is. They also make non-vegetarians hate even those of us who aren't so preachy.

Sigh...

Answer 2

There really is no controversy. Sure, people make sure other people use the correct words, but so do English teachers. This has nothing to do with "right" or "wrong."

So what if you are not a vegetarian. You are making great progress as a meat reducer. And who knows, maybe one day you will decide to take the plunge into vegetarianism. But that will happen when and if you are ready.

Of course, if you were one of those people who insisted on being called a vegetarian even though you eat animals, sure that would cause some "controversy" because it would be an incorrect usage of the word, but those people are few and far between.

Great job in cutting back on your meat intake to where you only eat fish!
:)

Answer 3

I made a choice to not eat animals because I believe life is sacred.

It's a little annoying when people who do eat animals claim to have made the same choice.

I feel they have trivialized a philosophy that is very meaningful to me.

I don't debate about "saving the world" or how the animals are treated before they are killed. I'm around meat eaters at work all day; I leave them alone and do my job. I never even bring it up unless somebody asks me.

It's simply a matter of semantics for me--why do some people insist on saying they are something that they aren't?

I can say I'm a World War II Fighter Pilot, it doesn't make it true, and I'm certain real WWII Fighter Pilots would be annoyed if I did.

If you want to eat fish or whatever that's up to you. But please don't call yourself a vegetarian; you are not a vegetarian if you eat animals.

Answer 4

I am a vegetarian.
This is what I have to say...You do what you do...I'll do what I do..not eat meat including fish..(for those who are in denial about fish being meat).

I didn't invent the label. K. I wasn't the first one to call myself that either so...whatever.

You have your way and choice as everyone hopefully does everywhere..I chose vegetarianism...you chose to eat meat..that's fine. Is that what you wanted reasurance? There you go...you are still a good person even though you eat meat. K. Everyone is beautiful whether they are vegetarian or not. You are helping too if that's what you wanted to hear. You said that you don't care about the animals but are helping to eliminate factory farming and cruelty by not eating any animal but fish.

Not every vegetarian thinks they are better than the meat eaters. Alright. I promise you. Whoever you talked to is contributing to that whole mess and GOD I wish they'd stop.

Answer 5

You're absolutely right.. People should eat a diet that they feel is right for them.. I don't try to tell people how to eat, but, when asked, I explain why I am a vegetarian, and the benefits of vegetarinism.. but leave it at that

However, I appreciate people like you who do not call yourself a vegetarian when you eat fish... Because, again, not a matter of trying to tell people what to eat or judging, but the term "vegetarian" has a definition, and fish is meat. All these people calling themselves vegetarin while eating fish causes confusion in people with less education.. It makes for alot of fustration for TRUE vegetarians when other people don't know what that really means.

But I agree with you, People do have the freedom of choice.. no one is trying to tell them how to eat..

But I'd look pretty silly describing myself as a "tall blonde." When I don't fit the description (I'm short and have dark brown hair). But if I was talking to a group of people just learning English...I could really confuse them! So you see why it is important that we encourage the "fish only" people to not call themselves vegetarian..I don't care what they eat.. but let's not add to the confusion that is already pretty pathetic.. (people asking "is fish meat" DUR!! It's the flesh of a dead animal!.. YES!!)..

Answer 6

Fish replaced into hassle-free to come back then, even a foul kinfolk could capture a fish. the component of no meat on Friday's throughout the time of Lent replaced into to eat hassle-free and easy as to eat like people who did not have plenty- see the way it feels- shop us in music- shop us from not being grateful for what we've. at a similar time as fish is superb, lobseter is defeating the objective.

Answer 7

Yes, people CAN eat whatever they choose and make their own ethical decisions. I have no issue with people who eliminate all meat except for fish. I applaud their efforts to exploit fewer animals. My issue is with the use of the term "vegetarian" to describe them. The word was coined with a particular meaning and shortly adopted by the Vegetarian Society with that meaning. I don't like people diluting the meaning by trying to stretch it to accomodate fish or chicken. If "vegetarian" can mean anything you want it to, then it means nothing at all.

Answer 8

Well, my thought in the matter is this - I personally went vegan at the beginning of 2007. I'd gone several years as "no-mammal", and had recently stopped eating chicken as well...both strictly for ethical reasons. I finally took the full vegan plunge in 2007, and it was simply to be consistent. No, my heart doesn't bleed particularly for fish, or shrimp....but I wanted make a general, non-hypocritical statement against the taking of animal life. Do I think that shrimp (for instance) have much in the way of sentience? No. But honestly, I feel good with my decision, and haven't regretted it a bit.

Answer 9

I think vegetarians don't like piscivores (or whatever name you like) referring to themselves as veg because of the confusion it creates. People that know I'm a vegetarian still offer me fish... they just don't see it as "meat". Also, my cousin is a piscivore, but his friends call him a vegetarian (even though he explains to them that he isn't). I've started telling people that I don't eat animals instead of meat, just to avoid debates about why fish aren't vegetables.

Also, most veg*ns are proud of the choice they make, and it can be annoying to have someone take credit for something they haven't done. It kind of lessens the veg*ns achievement.

Answer 10

Your right, it doesn't matter one bit. In fact I encourage you to do what makes you happy, if eating fish makes you happy then do it.

However, you cannot claim to be a vegetarian if you eat fish because vegetarians dont eat meat, its as simple as that. as long as you dont do that then i dont see any problems at all, you'll be fine : )

Some vegetarians and vegans get annoyed at the dilution of thier 'message' or 'philosphy'....

But in all honestly i dont care about that, i just dont want confusion to end up with me mistakenly consuming something i dont want to.

Im sure you would feel the same way if it ended up with you consuming something you dont want to : )