Under what circumstances would slavery be moral?

Why?

Would recreating those circumstances in our country make it moral?

Some activities, such as child slavery or female genital mutilation, are so reprehensible and hideous that it can be argued that the hell with morality, they have to be stopped. But however justifiable that may be from a humanitarian point of view, I'm sure the barbarians who practice those abominations feel they are justified in doing so--on moral grounds. That is why I reject moral absolutism.

What makes you decide these activities are reprehensible? Peer pressure? Your cultural background? How does one decide the term "humanitarian?" If someone announces that the crime they are committing is "moral," is that all it takes to make it so?

"Moral relativism" turns into slush under any close examination. Mostly it's used to give someone leeway on their own personal beliefs, since almost any moral code becomes difficult if you apply it consistently. So, just get rid of consistency, and it's a lot easier.

Ask a liberal if it should be legal for gays to marry, and listen to the lecture on morality being an individual choice. Ask him if it should be legal for a man to be able to marry a nine-year-old girl, and watch the fun.

There's an old joke where someone (I remember it as being Winston Churchill) asks a woman if she'd sleep with him for a million dollars. She blushes, and says yes. Then he asks her if she'd sleep with him for ten bucks. She is indignant. "What do you think I am, sir?"

"We know what you are, madam. We're dickering on the price."

It isn't so funny when you realize that an amoral culture may not stand much of a chance against one with strong beliefs, however right or wrong those beliefs are. Sadly, the last thing that would go through the minds of many "sophisticated" types as the sword hits their neck would probably be "Am I really sure they aren't right?"