Can Americans be Absolutist?

Prompt: Right or Wrong?

By definition an absolutist judges every moral issue by the same standard but as humans I don't think that is possible. I am a relativist. That is very easy for me to say. I don't obey every law that our government has passed. I don't think anybody has. I know that rules are in place for a reason but as people often say "Some rules are meant to be broken". My mom would disagree with me. She has always tried to say that if something is "wrong" it is wrong under all circumstances.

My mom doesn't always practice what she preaches though. I go to the base to shop for shopping. The rule is only people with base IDs can shop there. But I take my mom all the time. My mom breaks the rule every time she goes with me. I don't think I have ever met somebody who follows that rule .I know that is a very little rule to break.

When it comes to murder only really extremist are absolutists. Our government wants us to be absolutist. Any murder is supposed to be punished by law. Now don't get me wrong. I don't believe somebody should get a way with murder for no reason at all. It's one thing if it's a random murder or a murder over an argument but if it's a person who has been abused by the other person and they kill them to get away, then I (and most or Americans) tend to see it different. If it's self-defense then juries will find a person guilty of a much lesser crime or let them off.

Another issue that I don't see is the same is telling a lie. I know any lie is supposed to be bad. I have gotten grounded many of times for telling my mom a lie. I don't fully agree though. If you tell a lie to keep a secret, such as a surprise party, then that's ok. Or if you tell a lie to keep from hurting somebody’s feelings then that should be fine. A big lie that could potentially hurt somebody is wrong. Or telling a lie to just tell it is wrong. Like when your mom asks if your room is clean and you know it's not but you really want to go to the movies so you say "yes ma'am". That lie doesn't hurt somebody but it also isn't helping anybody.

I believe that ninety-nine percent of Americans will agree with atleast one example I just wrote. That makes me question can Americans be absolutist? I know I can't.