Protein isn't really an issue for a vegetarian if you're eating a wide variety of healthy foods. Beans, legumes and soy (seitan / tofu) are the most obvious sources but there are tons of other ways to get protein too; a handful of almonds (almonds have the highest amount of protein per serving, most all other nuts have a decent amount), natural peanut butter, eggs and whole grain cereals are all also great sources.
I didn't wake up one day and decide to be vegetarian, it was more of a gradual change. I cut out red meat years ago because of that heavy feeling it always gave me after eating it. Pretty soon I was cutting out pork. And then poultry. After reading a friend's copy of "Diet for a New America" I knew I'd made the right choice for me.
I think that the more educated you are about where your food comes really, really comes from and the processes involved in getting from an orchard or a farm to your table, the more inclined people would be to making changes in the way they eat. The "big business" method of raising and slaughtering of animals is a sad, sad thing.
I raised a very carnivorous son who used to tease me about missing out on "all of this beefy goodness!" But I also bought "organic" meat for him. =P It was spendy, but I always felt better knowing that at least the animals weren't pumped full of anti-biotics and growth-inducing stuff and fed who knows what. Cooking a cow or chicken or whatever that lived a happy, healthy life was always more appealing to me than the usual meat-counter (or frozen food section) alternative.
I can't say that I'll never eat meat again, because someday I may. But I do know for sure that any meat I would eat would come from animals raised, fed and butchered in a way with which I were 100% comfortable or it wouldn't be something that would land on my table.
Only you know what is right for you. If that means not eating meat, yay! and if it means eating meat, yay! =P It is a big world and there is plenty of room for us all live as we choose.
Z