Here are probably my final thoughts on the Reedsburg thing. If you shared the original post that wen

Written: August 26, 2024

Here are probably my final thoughts on the Reedsburg thing. If you shared the original post that went viral, a couple days ago, please read this post and reshare.
I’ve been reading through everyone’s comments, and I can feel the frustration and disappointment about the punishment these kids received. I agree that it doesn’t seem to fit the severity of what they did. Harassing a community, especially one as peaceful and private as the Amish, is inexcusable, and it’s hard not to feel that the consequences should be more significant.
However, as I reflect on this situation, I can’t help but think there might be a deeper lesson here—one that goes beyond just the punishment. The Amish are a community that has long been misunderstood and, unfortunately, often disrespected by those who don’t take the time to understand their way of life. Their commitment to peace, humility, and forgiveness is something that I find deeply compelling, especially in how they’ve chosen to react to this incident.
The Amish community in North Western Sauk County has been a part of the region for decades. They are known for their strong work ethic, simple living, and deep religious convictions. Historically, the Amish have chosen to live separately from the modern world, not out of disdain, but out of a desire to maintain their values and traditions. They often choose not to press charges or seek retribution when wronged, which I believe is rooted in their commitment to forgiveness and turning the other cheek—a principle that can be difficult for many of us to understand, especially in a world that often demands justice through punishment.
I’m not saying that what happened should be overlooked or that the punishment should be lenient. What those kids did was wrong, and they should be held accountable. But I also think we can learn something from the Amish response. Their refusal to press charges or demand harsher penalties could be seen as a weakness, but I see it as a strength—a strength of character that comes from a place of deep faith and resilience. It’s a lesson in grace, one that I think we all could benefit from reflecting on.
At the same time, this doesn’t absolve the parents, the school, or the authorities from their responsibility to ensure that such behavior isn’t tolerated. The school administration needs to step up and show that actions have consequences, not just for the sake of punishment, but for the sake of teaching these kids what it means to respect others, especially those who are different from them.
So while the court system’s response might feel inadequate, and the school’s actions might seem too lenient, let’s also take a moment to consider what we can learn from the Amish in how they’ve handled this. Maybe the real lesson here is about understanding and respecting a community that chooses peace over conflict, and how we might apply that lesson in our own lives.
It’s not an easy situation, and there’s no simple answer, but I think we can all agree that this is a moment for reflection—not just on what punishment is appropriate, but on how we can better understand and respect those around us, especially those who live by principles that challenge our own.
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