Cultural relativism is an ethical principle which argues that no culture can be judged from another culture's perspective, since all cultures have their own values, beliefs, and norms. It challenges the idea that one set of values or beliefs are superior to others, and thus posits that each culture's unique practices must be understood in terms of its own context and history. This philosophy has important implications for religion, including how it relates to universal sexual truths.
The concept of universal sexual truth refers to the notion that there are certain moral principles governing human sexual behavior that transcend cultural boundaries. These include proscriptions against incest, rape, and pedophilia, as well as expectations regarding monogamy and faithfulness within marriage. Many religions make claims about these truths, often citing scripture or tradition to justify them.
Some critics argue that such claims cannot be universally valid because they rely on specific cultural assumptions about what constitutes acceptable sexual behavior.
Many Western societies view homosexuality as immoral and forbid same-sex relationships.
This attitude is not shared by other cultures where gay marriage is legal and widely accepted. Similarly, polygamy is practiced in some Muslim countries but condemned in most Western ones. Cultural relativists would argue that both views have merit, since they reflect different value systems shaped by historical circumstances.
Cultural relativism suggests that religious sexual norms may change over time depending on social conditions.
The Catholic Church once opposed contraception but now permits it under certain circumstances. The Quran allows polygamy but only if a man can financially support multiple wives. Therefore, cultural relativism challenges the idea that any particular set of religious beliefs or values should be seen as absolute truths about sex.
Some scholars dispute cultural relativism's applicability to religion altogether, arguing that its emphasis on local custom obscures universal ethical principles derived from natural law or divine revelation. They contend that morality must go beyond culture and be based on transcendental values such as justice, compassion, and respect for life. In addition, they argue that allowing cultural relativism to trump moral absolutism could lead to chaos and degeneracy.
Cultural relativism challenges traditional religious claims to universal sexual truth by rejecting the assumption that one culture's values are superior to another. It also poses questions about whether there are truly objective standards for sexual behavior beyond cultural context. While some people see this challenge as liberating, others view it as dangerous.
The debate between cultural relativism and moral objectivism will continue to shape how we understand human sexuality across cultures.