If vegetarians are so against meat why do they make everything taste like meat?

[Snape]

I don't understand why you are so offended by the concept of Fake Meat? What's to be offended about? Everyone here has listed great reasons why Fake Meat is produced. The real issue here is the fact that you have an issue with people who follow a vegetarian diet.

[tragicallypoetic]

its not that we dont want to eat "meat", its that we dont want to eat animals. tofu is not an animal!

[Chef Bette]

Most of us are people who have families and friends who are not of necessity following a diet similar to our own. The social benefit is simply this -- these meat-like soy analogs are culturally, and hence socially, more easily accepted by those in transition as well as those who are guests to our homes.
I teach vegetarian cooking classes to a wide variety of people in the Mid-West many of whom are not vegetarian but have family members who are; people who are making the shift not for reasons of animal rights so much as for their health; people who are more concerned about the environment and the carbon footprint of flesh food production than they are with the issues of ahimsa; non-violence and the inhumane treatment of animals. Their reasons are varied. Their interest in good food is real. Let's acknowledge this -- we human eat meals not nutrients. Meals are social times; times when the family gathers to share the bounty of food and their mutual affection. From the first meal an infant is fed as he or she is held close to the breast and nurtured with cooing, sweet murmuring and lullaby -- food is intimately connected with love and security. We learn to appreciate God's great bounty in the gift of food and are deeply saddened by the millions of people all over the planet who starve to each each year. Being vegetarian, eating lower on the food chain makes for a more socially conscious life.
Judgment of other people's intentions is not only inappropriate but, frankly speaking, subject to error. Vegetarians are people who pretty much choose to cause the least amount of pain on the planet that they can. We may not have much control over the big pain producing issues such as wars, earthquakes, tornadoes, cyclones and tsunamis but we can control what we put into our bodies. If eating veggie dogs and sausage makes mealtime less stressful for our non-veg friends then? What is the problem?
Check out the following TED | Talks | Mark Bittman: What's wrong with what we eat (video)*
And if you are at all interested in good vegetarian food there are amazingly wonderful recipes at
http://www.your-vegetarian-kitchen.com/home

[VeggieTart]

Most vegetarians and vegans grew up eating meat or were raised by omnivores. Many of us like the texture of meat and the taste of the seasonings, which is what you taste when you eat actual animal flesh. (I can't imagine a meat eater who would eat a plain hunk of cow without cooking and seasoning it, can you?)

As others have pointed out, the analogues make it easier to avoid animal foods and the associated cruelty. They taste good (though not really like "meat" as I recall it), they have a nice texture, and they have far less fat and no cholesterol. If I'm with a group of omnivores, I'm going to want a veggie burger while they eat their cowburgers, even though it surely doesn't taste the same.

I think it makes vegetarianism more accessible and less threatening to people.

[fueled by tofu]

Why does what vegetarians eat bother you? You are a meat-eater and have nothing to do with vegetarianism! Plus there is huge difference between soy chicken and slaughtered chicken. Use your brain, and stop asking silly questions. Stop putting down vegetarian beliefs. If you think fake meat is wrong, why don't you take a look at your steak? It bleeds! You're telling me that's right and humane? Sick.

[popinfresh]

I am absolutely repulsed by this sick, twisted, uncultured western vision shared by you vegatarians.

I've lived in 3 continents and have been to over 40 countries and until you can experience life as I have, you need to set aside your ipods and get a little cultured perspective.

I don't at all agree with the treatment of animals in our society and espeically the way they are fed with injected hormones. Though nor do I support it as I ONLY buy organic. That applies to my fruits and produce as well. Do you have any idea how much pesticides and preservatives are used on the vegatables you eat?! There is a likelyhood that any importanted vegatables from China and India are laced with DDT, which can be found in your precious imported green teas as well. DDT has been banned in the United States since 1972 but many countries use it, and guess what? You can get a small dose of it whenever you eat your "healthy" imported vegatable meals.

This whole "pain" or slauthering of innocent animals thing is really getting tiresome. Grow up already! Have you ever seen what happens out on safari? Trust me that animals go throw much more pain suffering then can be inflicted upon by humans and it happens a million times a day everywhere. It's evolution, its science folks! It's natural!

But of course I'm sure some of you vegan idiots would sleep easier at night if you could kill the natural animal instinct of flesh eating species by feeding them blocks of tofu instead.

As for Health" reasons, why not speak to an immunologist? or an educated nutritionist? or learn a little about science and evolution and you might gain a little insight.

Food is a celebration! It's a gift. That is why we traditionally give thanks at our meals. Native indians actually give thanks literally to their meal.

What I experienced in my travels, exposure to new things, being invited to strangers homes is priceless. I can't even fathom putting forth this deviant ideology at the expense of sharing in ones culture and traditions.