Man, 27, who was beaten almost to death by five teens forgives his attackers

Daily Mail ^ | Oct 10, 2013 | Sara Malm, Alex Greig and Helen Pow

[Bon of Babble]

A Minneapolis man who was beaten within an inch of his life has forgiven the five teens responsible for the shocking, unprovoked attack.

Ray Widstrand doesn't remember the fateful night of August 4, however authorities say the then-26-year-old found himself in the middle of a terrifying gang confrontation on the streets near his St Paul apartment and was kicked, stomped on and left to die.

But Widstrand doesn't believe the beating is a reflection of the community and said he wished the teens the best.

'That was just a freak accident,' Widstrand, who is now 27, told the Star Tribune. 'It was just young kids lashing out. I was a young kid once. I lashed out.'

[sunrise_sunset]

Also, he may have “lashed out” - but I doubt he tried beating someone to death.

[EDINVA]

It wasn’t an “accident,” freak or otherwise. Fine if he wants to forgive, it’s good for his own soul. Justice, however, needs to be met for the sake of the community, not the individual. That’s why criminal prosecutions are always “the state” vs, rather than, i.e., John Doe vs.

[dragnet2]

Those still left in Minnesota should get out as fast as possible.

[rdcbn]

‘That was just a freak accident,’ Widstrand, who is now 27, told the Star Tribune. ‘It was just young kids lashing out. I was a young kid once. I lashed out.’

---

Forgiveness is an Christian obligation. However, excusing and justify the violent and wicked behavior of others is just plain stupid and is also decidedly un Christian as it abrogates and denies other equally valid God given commandments

[wastoute]

Many of us have a lot to learn about forgiveness.

[sandboxshooter]

Not the types I associate with.

[Molon Labbie]

White guilt will get you kilt.

“I forgive you, I really deserved this..for something...um, that white people did to you people...oh my God, I’m sorry, I said “you people”... see that means I really am racist...(boohoo)”

[dfwgator]

Stig: Well he had to, didn’t he? I mean there was nothing else he could do, be fair. I had transgressed the unwritten law.
Rogers: What had you done?
Stig: Er... well he didn’t tell me that, but he gave me his word that it was the case, and that’s good enough for me with old Dinsy. I mean, he didn’t *want* to nail my head to the floor. I had to insist. He wanted to let me off. He’d do anything for you, Dinsdale would.

[Mad Dawgg]

"Man, 27, who was beaten almost to death by five teens forgives his attackers"

That's how I would play it....

And then in a few months there would be a story in the local papers about how one or two yutes [/cousin vinny] had disappeared without a trace and a sidebar mentioning how they were involved in a previous incident.

[sport]

Next time they will finish the job. But, in the end, they will be doing him a favor. Because, if that is his take on things, he does not have the intelligence to cope with life. As Jesus said to His Disciples before he went to the Cross, it is a evil world out there, if any man does not have a sword, let him sell his cloak and buy one.

[glennaro]

Unfortunately, "forgiveness" is, as in this case, often misunderstood even by well-meaning Christians. While this man has offered forgiveness, he is really doing it for himself -- and that's fair enough. But true forgiveness requires the following:

Step 1 - The offenders must admit they did something wrong. (Don't see that here: The animals who beat him nearly to death have not acknowledged they did anything wrong.)

Step 2 - The offenders must ask for forgiveness from the one they have harmed. (Don't see that here: The animals who beat him nearly to death have not asked for his forgiveness.)

Step 3 - The offenders must atone for what they did. (Yeah, right! Fat chance of that happening!)

[CatherineofAragon]

Same for the men I know. Conservative men are the only real ones left.

[Mr Rogers]

“The 27-year-old was walking home in his neighborhood on St Paul’s East Side when he was attacked by a group of 30 to 50 juveniles and young adults.”

That is a crime against society as well as against an individual. He can forgive if he wishes, but pretending it was an accident is not forgiveness but near suicidal stupidity. And remember:

“For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the one who is in authority? Then do what is good, and you will receive his approval, for he is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword in vain. For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God’s wrath on the wrongdoer.” - Paul in Romans 13

[Mr Rogers]

"After Mr Widstrand was knocked over one person was seen stomping on his head after which a third stripped him of his trousers to search his pockets"

That doesn't sound accidental to you? < / sarcasm >

One of the 5 people charged:

[delchiante]

Forgiveness is for him... unforgiveness is a poison that kills the host.... that bitterness of unforgiveness doesn’t affect his attackers...he didn’t give them mercy... he gave them forgiveness... Messiah forgives us... and most reject it too.. but he did the right thing for his future and he will be blessed for it.... good lesson for anyone holding a grudge or unable to get over being hurt, insulted, beaten- it takes God’s help and realization you have been forgiven too for all you’ve done... Mathew 6 aren’t just idle throw away words.. the Lords prayer has it in their for a reason.... forgiveness of our own wickedness is what the gospel is ALL about....

[MomwithHope]

Nothing wrong with forgiveness, but to call it an accident - BS. It was their free will choice to hurt him.