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See that's the problem, isn't it? When we conflict with cultural norms it is difficult to determine which is the 'right' path: that which culture says is normative or that which we believe to be correct. In our society we have lots of icons whom we admire for standing athwart the course set by society. If 6 billion people believe 'X' and I believe 'Y' should I go with X or Y?
The answer comes in at least two parts. For me, the first is, "What can I live with?" In other words, which choice does the greater harm to the things that I love the most?
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First hero worship or “icons” is a facade for the weak minded and I’m pretty sure you know it.
Second, you appear to be suggesting that for you, independent thought means naught when placed next to peer pressure and convenience. That implies your decision process comes down to the “what’s in it for me?” justification. Is that correct? Not that that is unusual.
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Why I said, 'SFW' is that I think it is cherry-picking one's philosophy to arbitrarily say that this or that is justified killin' and this or that is murder. It is what we all do. But to attach moral superiority to one arbitrary choice over another is just not compelling.
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So far Jeff is the only one asserting moral superiority in this thread, and he stupidly fumbled it as a tool of attack. Yet if you find murder, let alone mass murder to fall under the category of an arbitrary choice, well, that is a reflection of your values. There is no “that which we believe to be correct” at all because you pointed out that above, self-interest, your “what can I live with” is all that matters. I agree that is a common ploy of justification used to camouflage dismissal. But it is still a ploy and nothing else.
Thousands of years ago the pyramids of Egypt were built by slaves and their frequently crushed bodies were literally used as mortar for the massive stonework. I’m sure some thought there was a moral value to the process, perhaps appeasing the gods and so forth. The pyramids themselves were nothing other than a testament to death employed as an exercise in vanity for the Pharos. You are saying that the only thing that has changed is that we don’t use slaves.
I’m going to return to my original point. If someone views murder as a source of joy, they are sick in the head. Period.