The ends justify the means. If we don't eat them then some other animals will.
To a degree this is true, but a domesticated animal that's specifically meant for slaughter is *guaranteed* to be killed. An animal that isnt specifically meant for slaughter is NOT guaranteed to be killed and has a decent chance of living it's full lifespan and dying naturally (and something being eaten only AFTER that point, like by maggots or vultures or something does not count). What with the fact that predators have to CATCH them first. And of course actually be able to overpower them. In alot of areas where cows and things are kept, there arent really predators that can do anything to them. Depends on the location. Around my area we have all sorts of big farms and such, but the only type of predator in the region is coyotes. This is the case for hundreds of miles around. Coyotes aint interested in gigantic cows. They're interested in like squirrels and things. Things that are easy and weak. Around this area, there's very little danger to non-domesticated animals. Well, aside from cars of course.
I haven’t eaten anyone’s flesh, bodily secretions (“dairy”), or menstrual periods (“eggs”) in ten years, and I’m happy as a clam. There isn’t a single rational argument anyone can make in favor of doing what we do to animals—not one. Philosophy-ethics 101. So I say, if it feels wrong to you, don’t turn away from the feeling! It means you have an open heart and an open mind.
Technially, our bodies are specifically evolved to eat meat for protein (though fortunately we dont have to ONLY eat meat and get to choose, so yay). Certainly our teeth are part of the evidence of that. Explains where the urge to do it in the first place came from. It's not a particularly wonderful arguement, but it is a very logical one.
Now that all being said, to me, it is up to the individual in my opinion. After all, again, that natural instinct is there, and for many people, it's very strong. I dont really argue in any particular direction when it comes to this issue. I can go one way, but I can go an equal amount the other way.
For what I eat though... When it comes to animal products, I'm all about dairy. I need it. I *need* it. Milk & cheese. But I dont want something that came from some cow permanently attached to some gizmo in a bizarre factory. Just milk the blasted things normally, stupid twits! Use your freaking hands like farmers used to do! You can process the damn milk afterwards. Hell, give me a few cows and I'll freaking do it myself. And I'll make friends with the cows too. They will be happy cows. Alas, I do not appear to have any cows.
As for meat, ehhhhhh.... most of it smells bad, tastes bad, as far as I'm concerned. I rarely have any. Also the idea of eating meat has always seemed mildly disturbing to me. "Hey, see that thing walking around? How about we kill it and eat the freaking corpse?" Also gets even more disturbing if someone is eating offal. No, I dont really want an intact lamb brain or 5 chicken hearts on a stick, thanks. A little... yeah, disturbing. Doesnt mean I never have any meat at all, but definitely rarely.
Except for tuna. When it comes to tuna, I'm pretty much just a cat. I wont even pretend to resist that stuff.