Not everyone in Middleton, Wisconsin likes to partake of the "Jesus Lunch," a weekly Christian gathering near a school where food is served spiced with some Christian messages.
The issue has long divided the American city with over 17,000 residents. One group supports the gathering at Fireman's Park, saying it creates a fun and safe atmosphere for students of Middleton High School during lunchtime, according to wkow.com. Fireman's Park is located right outside Middleton High School.
However, the opposing group has expressed safety concerns, saying the gathering poses security and health issues.
On Tuesday, local legislators held a public consultation on the matter but ended up where they started: still deeply divided. The two city government panels that sponsored the gathering said they were not ready to offer a recommendation to City Hall on the issue.
The Middleton council chamber was packed with residents who expressed opposing views on "Jesus Lunch."
Supporters argued that the lunches offer a choice to students.
"If some kids don't wish to attend, they don't have to," one supporter said.
"Having kids get together just off campus, sharing lunch and hearing a brief positive message from the teachings of Christ is much more appealing to me than having out kids sync into the swill of their cell phones," another parent said.
But critics said the gathering poses safety concerns, including health concerns for students who might have food allergens.
During a protest rally held last April, "Jesus Lunch" protesters argued that the lunch is "exclusive and divisive," according to The Cap Times.
The protesters called on proponents to "take Jesus Lunch to church." They also drew comparisons, saying it's hard to imagine residents tolerating a "Muslim Lunch."
Amanda Powers, a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Middleton alumnus, said the issue is "dividing the student body, hurting minority students and creating unsafe spaces for those that aren't Christian."
However, Middleton student Anna Diamond disagreed, saying, "I'm Jewish and don't feel like I'm being oppressed. People think the lunch is oppressive but it's not; no one is forced to come here at all, students have a choice."
She said, "The parents are not trying to get people to convert and they are very peaceful. We should all be allowed to have our beliefs and right to preach as long as it's not offending or hurting anyone."
"Jesus Lunch" was started in 2014 by a small group of parents whose children are enrolled in Middleton High School. In this weekly gathering—held every Tuesday in the fall and spring—parents give faith-based motivational speeches and positive messages. Sometimes, parents hand out Bibles and Christianity pamphlets.
