Long before the first Ewok appeared, actually. George Lucas created quite the clusterfuck with his various subplots that were not well thought out in advance. Fans are poking fun at them. I like this one:Dude, nothing has made sense in any of the movies since the first Ewok appeared.
But that's the whole religion - worshiping human sacrifice. Can't be squeamish about very center of your religion! Hammer in those holy nails, you coward!