It is more than......

Dignity of life is always talked about when we talk about the pro life argument. And don't get me wrong, we must talk about dignity of life when we talk about being pro life. This is important and all that we do is important and yes we can do even more.

My concern is we make dignity of life a one topic argument. We spend endless efforts working for pro life, and yes it is never enough till life is won. We seem to forget though that dignity of life encompasses more than the pro life argument. There are so many issues around the world that don't get the same amount of attention here in the United States that are just as important.

What about genocide? Why is the suffering of entire people put on the back burner? Historically we were outraged by the atrocities of the Nazis and rightfully so, but today in other parts of the world it continues. At one time President Carter suggested we should make human rights a major part of our foreign policy, a point derided by many so called conservatives now and then. Yet they scream pro life, to me some serious lack of consistency is rampant here, you cannot pick and choose when to respect dignity of life and when to ignore it.

What about victims of rape? Every now and then stories such as the ones coming out of India recently we get a bit of media outrage at how women are treated around the world, a complete lack of consideration for the rights of rape victims, yet here in our country women are raped, and it barely makes the news. Why? Is it because it is too commonplace, (I hope not) or is it because we don't put it in the right perspective? Remember last election season when the Republicans were blowing the question about abortion and victims of rape. They kept sticking their foot in their mouth. I hope I said this back then, but just in case, the answer should have been: "we need to work to protect women from being raped, just as we need to protect unborn children, we need to protect the lives and dignity of those living. Rape is a problem that should be addressed by society and we need to teach ourselves as a society to prevent it. Then there is no issue of a pregnant rape victim because the woman is not raped, therefore it becomes a non issue." Somewhat simplistic maybe,yet this is the attitude we should take. Rape is a symptom of a lack of respect for life, both for the perpetrator and by the perpetrator towards the victim.

There is human trafficking. We completely ignore what is happening to many children around the world. What good is it to save a live, then abandon it.

What about victims of domestic violence? Women, children, and yes even men sometimes, are abused in their own homes. How can we ignore what is happening in our own families. And this abuse comes in all shapes and sizes, but no matter how repulsive or how simple, domestic violence shows a lack of respect for dignity of life.

And you can add much more to this short list. Examples of lack of respect towards life are way too easy to find.

Will I continue to support the pro life movement, yes, but not just as a movement, but as a human who cares about all life and I will support the dignity of life wherever it is needed. Dignity of life is more than political speeches, church meetings, rallies, it must be a way of life.