Mormon Missionaries badly beaten in Bolton

[Bishka]

A YOUNG Mormon missionary badly beaten by a gang of teenages has said he forgives his attackers and has vowed to continue working in Bolton.
Sebastian Herrey, aged 21, and his colleague Brandon Woolsey, aged 19, were attacked by 14 youths as they took a short cut along Raglan Street, Halliwell, after missing their bus last Friday evening.


The men are both on a two-year placement in the town working as missionaries, known as Elders, with the local Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.


Mr Herrey, who is from Gothenburg, Sweden, and Mr Woolsey, from Utah, in the USA, ended up spending a night in the Royal Bolton Hospital after they were confronted by the teenagers and chased more than 500 metres before getting help from people at the Lord Raglan pub.


Mr Herrey suffered a suspected fractured jaw, gashed forehead and bruising, while Mr Woolsey was left with a black eye, cut lip and bruising.
Their ordeal began as they were on their way to visit someone interested in learning more about their faith.

Link here

Why does this happen?

 

[Mister_T]

Link here

Why does this happen?

Probably because this world is full of people who lack compassion and are full of hate. I actually had some Mormon missionaries come to my house yesterday and I was reminded of how kind they are.

You can be sure that as long as there's kindess and compassion, there will always be someone on this planet who wants to destroy it.

 

[Comprehend]

Link here

Why does this happen?

The missionaries have done a tremendous job of making the best out of what happened. You can bet that a lot of people will take note of how they forgave the attackers and how well they handled themselves. They should be commended.

The punks who did the beating are just punks and it is a sad commentary on society.

 

[Buttercup]

Man, poor guys. They sure were kind about it though.

 

[Bathsheba]

Stupid stupid people. I hope they catch all of the thugs and that they are all punished to the full extent possible.

My heart goes out to those two men and their families and friends. I find my heart strings tugged especially when considering the parents.

 

[Melissa G]

Link here

Why does this happen?

Random street violence in the UK is common enough. Could of happened to anyone in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Melissa G

 

[Bishka]

Random street violence in the UK is common enough. Could of happened to anyone in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Melissa G

The missionaries themselves seem to think that they were targeted because of their religion, do you agree or disagree with that statement?

 

[Melissa G]

It's possible, but I suspect they were just victims of a random attack. It could just of easily been a couple of guys going to the shops. Violence as I said, is a common occurence. I would say though, if you stand out, you've more chance of been attacked.

Melissa G

 

[Bishka]

It's possible, but I suspect they were just victims of a random attack.

It doesn't seem too random to me. According to the article:

They were walking past the cemetery in Astley Lane when the youths commented that they were wearing suits and began shouting abuse.

Mr Herrey said they decided to explain who they were and they thought trouble had been averted when one of the youths replied "Pray for us guys", and gave them a thumbs-up sign.

Mr Herrey said: "We have met a lot of people like this before, they have always respected us."


But seconds later a bottle was thrown at them, Mr Herrey was hit on the head from behind and both men were punched and kicked.

From this statement, the attackers clearly knew who they were.

 

[Bathsheba]

It is hard to determine the veracity of their claim (targeted because of our religion) because we haven't investigated the crime.

I have no reason to discredit their take on things. We know that violence is often motivated by religious hatred. To me it seems like a completely reasonable assertion at this point in time.

But like I said, I wasn't there, I don't have all the facts and if I was on a jury determining if this was a religiously motivated hate crime I would need more information.

 

[Melissa G]

Like I said, they stood out. Wearing suits is unusual on the streets late at night. Maybeif they'd been wearing jeans, casual jackets, and something like Nike Air shoes, it may not of happened, but you can never be sure. These youths are often just hell bent on trouble. It's also become a fashion here to video attacks on a mobile (cell) phone, and upload them to a site for their friends to enjoy !

Melissa G

 

[ChristineES]

I don't know about any one else, but I know Mormon Missionaries when I see them so probably did those who beat them up. That, in my view, makes it a hate crime.

 

[Bishka]

I don't know about any one else, but I know Mormon Missionaries when I see them so probably did those who beat them up. That, in my view, makes it a hate crime.

Most people do know the LDS missionaries by sight, they are a bit unusual compared to everyone else.

 

[Bathsheba]

I don't know about any one else, but I know Mormon Missionaries when I see them so probably did those who beat them up. That, in my view, makes it a hate crime.

Knowing that they were mormon (if they did) doesn't establish motive. Why is it so hard for you to appreciate that you can't know their motive unless you get more information?

 

[ChristineES]

Knowing that they were mormon (if they did) doesn't establish motive. Why is it so hard for you to appreciate that you can't know their motive unless you get more information?

Even if they had a different motive, beating people like that is very wrong. Even if it wasn't a hate crime (I am reasonably sure it was, but I really don't know) it is still a terrible thing.

 

[Bathsheba]

Even if they had a different motive, beating people like that is very wrong. Even if it wasn't a hate crime (I am reasonably sure it was, but I really don't know) it is still a terrible thing.

Right you are.

 

[Comprehend]

I feel like I have stumbled into a cross between Law and Order and Oprah but none the characters went to law school.