There is an enduring wisdom behind the expression “we are what we eat.” Recent warnings from the public health sector that obesity has reached epidemic status in this country certainly lends credence to this culinary proverb. And if it is true that we are what we eat, what else about eating is true? Is it fair to say that we are how we eat, or where we eat? 

Catholic theologian Massimo Salani certainly believes it. Having watched the explosive growth of fast food restaurants in Europe over the past decade, Father Salani has concluded that fast food is anti-Catholic. Hamburgers are Protestant, he argues, maybe even atheist. Fr. Salani’s criticism is rooted in his belief that fast food restaurants work against community. Fast food dining focuses on the individual consumer, rushing to buy and eat, and then hurrying off to do something else. The fast food consumer has no time, or takes no time, to stop and break bread with a neighbor. 

Breaking bread with neighbors has long been the hallmark of Christian community. The practice goes back to the very beginning. Biblical scholars believe that sharing bread with outcasts and social misfits was one the main features of Jesus’ ministry. Sharing bread creates community by making everyone around the table kin. Dr. Salani argues that fast food restaurants undermine the community building power of the shared meal. “Eating burgers and fries reflects an individualistic relationship between man and God which goes back to Luther.” 

Of course, Fr. Salani must know that fast food restaurants cannot really destroy community. Fast food restaurants succeed precisely because the idea of community is already in decline. Our work commitments and leisure styles almost force us to value the convenience of a quick meal over the slow pace of communal dining. Fast food does not create this reality, it exploits it. 

Which brings us to Brentwood Baptist Church in Houston, Texas. Located in one of the fastest growing sections of Houston, Brentwood is a mega-church with over 7,000 members. These are busy people. They work hard, they play hard. Church activities must be worked into their schedules along with a myriad of other commitments. In order to help their busy membership, leaders of Brentwood decided to open a McDonalds restaurant in the church community center. According to a McDonalds’ spokesperson, the Brentwood site is the first restaurant to operate within a church. 

“A lot of us have children,” said Derrick Cyprian, chairman of the deacon board at the church. “When we have different meetings and functions at the church, a lot of time you don’t get to stop and get something to eat. This will make it more convenient.” It’s a development rich in irony. Christianity began as a home-based religious movement. Now the faith boasts of mega-churches that actually draw people out of their homes and into buildings called “family life centers,” or in Brentwood’s case, community life centers. 

Christianity began as a movement of hope symbolized by the sharing of a simple fellowship meal of wine and bread. Now the faith has become a complex corporate-like affair, with such heavy demands on members that fast food must be provided so everyone can get to their meetings. 

And here’s the real irony. The Christian faith began as a movement born out of the pain and suffering of the founder, Jesus of Nazareth. Now, in order to maintain its membership, churches become purveyors of convenience. The symbol of the cross is superceded by the ubiquitous golden arches. 

If we are what we eat, that means we are rushed, gobbled down, bland tasting, and not too healthy. If we are where we eat, we are alone, watching without touching other diners as we all hurry off to our next meeting. 

It’s sad if we think about it. The meal used to be the meeting. 

James L. Evans is pastor of Crosscreek Baptist Church in Pelham, AL. He can be contacted via e-mail at  HYPERLINK "mailto:pastor@crosscreekbaptist.org" pastor@crosscreekbaptist.org.