ANSWERS:

Liz, age 22: "If humans were meant to eat meat, then why can't we chase a buffalo or even an elk down, tear it down with our claws, sink our teeth into its flesh and eat it raw?"

Most people are like that because they feel guilty deep down inside about eating meat/animal products, and when they see you, they think about it and so they take it out on you, unfortunately.

Angie, age 17: First of all, tell them that they should do their research before arguing with you because they're just wasting everybody's time and their breath. Also, human teeth aren't sharp like most hunters'; they were not designed to chew flesh. Tell them to read Diet for a New America by John Robbins; it has everything!

Matthew, age 26: This one is hard. These people are challenging you because you don't fit the norm. Not fitting the norm is threatening to most people, so they want to disprove you. Don't be discouraged, it goes with being veg.

Unfortunately, there is not one good line that will shut them up. The key is educating yourself so you're prepared for the questions. If you seem like you're guessing or making stuff up, you'll seem less confident. Be confident, and know what you're talking about, and the people will be less abusive. I've notice huge changes in my friends and family, once I had a good set of facts to back up my argument, and I was confident using them.

I'll give you some quick facts that might help you out, but you should still educate yourself. Go to goVeg.com and other websites to get the facts you need. Some quick facts :

• Jaws of carnivores only move up and down, not side to side, to allow for strong crushing movements for biting through bones, etc. Humans, like other herbivores, have jaws that move side to side as well as up and down, which is used for grinding plant matter.
• The intestinal tract of carnivores is much shorter than that of humans. Raw meat is filled with bacteria etc., and in order for it to be digested, the animal eating it must have a short digestive tract so it passes through the body quickly. Humans, have a much longer digestive tract, so if we try to consume raw meat, most times, we get sick.
• What do humans do to their food that no other animals have to do? We cook it. If we don't cook all the bacteria out of the meat before we eat it, we'll become violently ill, and risk disease. Last time I checked, nature didn't make frying pans, we did.

• "Do you really think these canines can rip through the skin of a cow?"
• "If we're meant to eat meat, then we would be able to run down a cow, kill it, skin it, and eat it, all with our bare hands."

Starza, age 20: I've learned in my years and years of trying to argue with people who ask stupid questions that the best way to deal with them not is to answer their questions. People who ask those questions aren't really looking to become veggie/vegan, theyre looking to stump you so they feel justified in eating meat. People who ask stupid questions aren't the ones who will end up becoming veggie/vegan, so why waste your time on them?

I usually hand people like that a "Why Vegan?" pamphlet or some other form of literature, tell them that all the info they need is in there, smile and leave it at that. Granted, it takes a while to be OK with doing that. But you just have to learn that not every question needs to be answered. You being a happy, peaceful person will convert more people to veggie/veganism than will answering all their insincere questions. Save your breath for those you can change.

Oh! and by the way by doing tons and tons of research and reading books, youll have the knowledge to answer those questions...even if they're not worth answering.

Gaby, age 17: When people tell me that we were "meant to eat meat" or that "God created animals for human use," I simply tell them that if that's what they believe, then they need to play the game like they say it is meant to be played. In other words, tell them that, just like the animals in the wild, the animals humans eat should be given a fair shot. Lions do not corner a bunch of animals into a cave and lock them in there for future use. NO, lions HUNT. And when lions hunt, the animals have a fair shot of escaping. Tell your friends to gather some supplies and head off to the woods to hunt. No woods nearby? That's OK, they'll surely find some squirrels and birds in their own backyard. Tell them to capture the animal, kill it, skin it with their own hands, cook it and eat it. Sure, that way they'll be doing what "humans were born to do."

Jessica, age 16:Humans aren't born to eat meat. That is why our intestinal tract is so long. In fact, because meat stays in our intestines for so long, it ROTS. Gross! Carnivores, those who are "meant to eat meat" have very short intestines. Any time they make such comments, do not get angry at them. Try to educate them instead. Research into the statements they are making, and you will find the knowledge to back up your arguments.