Pro-life is defined by Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as “being against abortion.” In fact, many Christians call themselves pro-life because of their religious viewpoints. I don’t mean for this article to be political in any way, I just simply want to address the idea that encompasses being ‘pro-life.’

People who are prolife support the idea that life begins at conception therefore every single life, although not yet born, is sacred. However – there is rarely acknowledgement about the sanctity of life as it continues over the years. The same unborn baby that people are so worried about protecting turns into a human being who could then face a variety of problems that put their life at risk. Poverty, starvation, being sent off to war, being deported or denied entry into a country due to place of birth, having to live in a country that’s at war, no access to clean water, and so many other situations that threaten the sanctity of human lives throughout the world.

Sanctity of life is the idea that life is so sacred that it should be protected at all costs. Prolife needs to begin to include the argument for protection of life in all other forms. It is equally as important to protect the unborn as it is to protect our fellow human beings of all ages, races, backgrounds, and religion.

Human life is human life. A life doesn’t get to be considered more or less important depending on where a person was born, how they were raised, or the beliefs they hold. Similarly, life should be considered important and sacred in all forms and in all situations. A homeless person on the street has just as many rights to food, shelter, and water as a person who makes six figures in one year. Men fighting against each other in war, from two different countries with opposing views and ideas, should all be considered sacred. So many situations are examples of when life should be stood up for, yet is frequently overlooked by people who claim to be ‘prolife.’

Life is beautiful and humans are beautiful. Everyone has their own stories and situations that make them unique from every other person. There are highs and lows, great memories and horrible flashbacks, but people are people at the end of the day. Whether someone was raised speaking Italian, English, or Chinese. Whether someone was born in Colorado or Scotland or Yemen. Whether someone was born into an upper class family and has never had to worry about a thing, or was born into a family that relies on food stamps and public transportation. A life is a life and the prolife argument needs to acknowledge the issues facing life that advance beyond the pregnancy process.