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Originally Posted by adysav
The Aztecs condoned ritual human sacrifice, it was not immoral to them. There are other examples, but I have a bus to catch  back later. |
Just because a person or group does something doesn't make it right. Harming another person against their will in any situation other than self-defense is wrong.
The Samurai of Feudal Japan engaged in the practice of
tsujigiri, a verb meaning "to try out one's new sword on a chance wayfarer." In order to avoid dishonor when in battle, the Samurai had to ensure that the sword could cut an enemy from one shoulder to the opposite flank, completing a proper cut. In order to aavoid the potential dishonor in combat, they would lie in wait at a crossroad, and test the sword on a chance wayfarer. Moral relativism does not allow us to criticize that practice because it was acccepted in the culture of the time. If we had asked the wayfarer what the thought of the practice, he would give us a very different opinion. However, because of the Samurai's status in society, his opinion was what mattered most.
Similarly, slavery was acceptable in American culture for hundreds of years. Simply because it was acceptable does not mean that it was the right thing to do at the time.
This week in Iran, a 16-year-old girl was hanged because she was caught having sex with an unmarried man. Simply because this is accepted in their culture does not make it right.