Q. Other animals eat each other. Why can’t we eat them?

A. Predators in the wild kill other animals out of necessity. Without doing so, they wouldn’t survive. We kill other animals by choice. Our bodies don’t need meat at all. In fact, it has consistently been shown that a low-fat vegetarian diet is healthier than a diet heavy with animal products.

Is it acceptable to inflict suffering on countless animals for something that isn’t even necessary?

Q. If you want to be vegetarian, that’s fine. But, don’t tell me what to do.

A. Imagine saying to someone, “If you don’t want to beat your dog, that’s fine. But, don’t tell me not to beat mine.” While we are entitled to believe what we like, we are not entitled to treat others—especially those weaker than us—however we like. If we are responsible for harming others, people have every right to ask that we stop.

Q. If the animals are raised to be eaten, isn’t that okay?

A. Two hundred years ago in the United States, humans raised other humans to be slaves. The fact that these people were raised to be slaves did not justify slavery. Similarly, raising animals for the purpose of eating them does not justify their exploitation.

Q. Where do you draw the line? Insects? Plants? Bacteria?

A. Because of their lack of a brain, nervous system, pain receptors, and so on, it is certain that plants and bacteria do not suffer (though you kill many fewer plants by eating them directly, rather than by funneling them through farmed animals, as discussed here). There are some animals (such as insects) who we are not certain are capable of suffering. It is up to each individual to decide where she or he feels the line should be drawn. All of the pigs, cows, chickens, fish, and other animals we raise and kill for food are able to feel pain. Because of this, they deserve to be free from misery just as much as dogs and cats do.

Q. Humans are the smartest animals and we’re the “top of the food chain.” Why shouldn’t we use our strength to our benefit?

A. The argument that “might makes right” has been used by many to justify countless forms of cruelty and domination throughout history. Just because we’re able to be cruel doesn’t mean we ought to be.