Biblical Womanhood: What do you think? Starbucks and their controversial cups

Thursday, May 10, 2007

What do you think? Starbucks and their controversial cups

Why does the place that sells my favorite coffee have to be so political?

From WorldNetDaily: Coffeehouse giant Starbucks is standing by its campaign to put thought-provoking messages on its coffee cups despite a national uproar and threat of boycott over a message some felt was "anti-God."

Controversy erupted this week after a customer became steamed reading a quote that stated:

"Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why would we ask something that may well be a figment of our imaginations for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure."

The quote was written by Bill Schell, a Starbucks customer from London, Ontario, Canada, and was included as part of Starbucks' "The Way I See It" campaign to collect different viewpoints and spur discussion.
Read full article.

I've pretty much given up drinking the occasional latte or frappe since becoming pregnant, but I still love to breathe in the aroma of Starbucks whenever I get a chance (I know, I know, call me a yuppie, but I really do like their coffee!).

Honestly, though, can't we just have nice plain cups to drink our coffee in as opposed to having to be constantly bombarded with controversial messages? Reading the above message really bothers me. But then I read later on in the article that they have another quote by Rick Warren as part of the series, too. I'm not at all a big Rick Warren fan by any stretch of the imagination, but the quote from him wasn't all that bad:

You are not an accident. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He wanted you alive and created you for a purpose. Focusing on yourself will never reveal your purpose. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. Only in God do we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and our destiny. -- Dr. Rick Warren, author of "The Purpose-Driven Life."

What do you think? Is Starbucks just trying to create controversy and discussion or are they expressly making a mock of Christianity in printing some of the quotes on their cups? What should our response be as Christians?

Have you long ago given up on Starbucks? Or are you a die-hard afficionado? Or could you care less?

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

By the way, my apologies to all of you who come here for frugal tips, recipes, or other such homemaking helps and ideas. I feel like my blog has been one big soap box recently and it's not my intention to just focus on hot topics. However, since I just blog "off the cuff" you get whatever is on my mind. And recently I've had a lot on my mind. Maybe it's due to all the reading, thinking, and pondering I've been doing this past week while I'm trying to rest up and boost my hemoglobin levels. At any rate, thanks for bearing with me!

35 Comments:

Rach said...: Hi Crystal! I don't know how I feel about the comments on the coffee cups but I know how I feel about Starbucks! Don't get me wrong I love coffee! But I haven't been to Starbucks since last October - you can check out why from my blog:

http://watchmesoar.blogspot.com/2006/10/because-my-blog-isnt-educational.html

I'm a real advocate of fair trade and I really think one of the biggest companies with great influence and stupidly big profits could be leading the way!

Rach; 4:44 PM
Anonymous said...: If people don't like what the cups say then they can go to 7-11 for coffee.Free will...people should exercise it rather than complain.7-11 is cheaper,too...; 4:46 PM
Anonymous said...: Starbucks is way too yuppie for me. Sorry. I hate the taste of their coffe, too. Bitter. I go to Dunkin' Donuts.

I don't know what Starbucks agenda is. It probably isn't good and I don't want to be a part of it.

-Zan; 4:47 PM
Kris said...: Hmm, I prefer your locally owned coffee shops. The coffee is usually better and the atmosphere too.
I don't know about the messages, but the fact that Starbucks is based on the west coast tells me their political and religious leanings. Don't ya think?; 4:54 PM
Ewokgirl said...: As long as they are giving a voice to multiple opinions, I don't really see it as a big deal. But I really would rather my food and drinks come without a message. I don't need my theology to come from a coffee cup. ;-); 5:13 PM
Claire said...: I'm a big coffee fan, but as a poor student I usually make it at home instead of buying Starbucks. :)

Whatever the intent (and content) of the cup messages, I think they have the potential to stimulate good conversation ... and in a world where most spend far more time watching TV, posting on message boards, and IMing that we do having face-to-face conversations about important subjects, I think that could be a really good thing.; 5:29 PM
Anonymous said...: Maybe they figure ANY publicity is good publicity??
Lela-; 5:37 PM
LINDSAY said...: Thank you Crystal for your blog. I read it everyday and it is very encouraging!

Our family gave up Starbucks long ago when we found out they support gay rights. Below is quote #43 from one of the "The Way I See It" cups:
“My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don’t make that mistake yourself. Life’s too [expletive] short.”

To read and article about this topic from the Baptist Press go to:

http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=21387

As Christians, the real question is: Why are we supporting companies like this? Why should we even have these types of conversations at all? We should be outraged by these blasphemous topics!!! But instead, we dismiss it because they also include some "Christian" themes along with the blasphemous ones. We are supossed to be separate from the world. Why are we trying to mix with it? Just so we can have our favorite cup of coffee?
We, as Christians, need to stand up for what is right, pure,and true!!!

Lindsay; 5:38 PM
Crystal said...: Lindsay - I blogged about that particular cup message way back when it first came out. And that was one reason I first become very leery of supporting Starbucks. I believe they have since pulled that cup quote (though I might be wrong on that).

I just wish I could find a local coffee shop that was clean and also had really good coffee. I prefer to support local shops anyway. I'm currently on a search. Anyone in the KC area have some good suggestions? I don't drink coffee very often (especially when I'm pregnant), but Jesse and I do enjoy a coffee date every now and then.; 5:44 PM
Anonymous said...: They have a reputation as being one of the best companies to work for- even giving health benefits to part-time workers. That's awesome!

I work 3rd shift and stop there before work to get a drink and the New York Times. I will continue stop there regardless whether or not they put a variety of people's opinion on their cups. I was glad to see they included a Christian comment- but still I'll look beyond Starbucks for inspiring quotes.; 6:09 PM
Anonymous said...: Another couple of thoughts...

People complain about the price of Starbucks. Yet they are treating their employees right. If you don't like government health insurance then why not support companies that are providing coverage and other good benefits for their employees? I work IN health care and can't get it that good....; 6:14 PM
Lydia said...: Hi Crystal!

I am not a big Starbucks fan nor coffee fan, for that matter, but when you mentioned wanting to find a good local coffee shop that was clean and with good coffee I thought I'd mention this one that I have visited before. Beanology is in a shopping area near 135th and Metcalf. I went there a couple years ago with some friends when I was in town for a Bible conference. Caleb first heard of it from one of his college professors, whose son started and owned it. I don't know how close it is to were you live but maybe it would be just the place for you to "splurge" every now and then. :)

You can learn more about it on my blog and see a few pictures of the inside.

http://lydiahayden.blogspot.com/2006/02/
in-quest-of-bean-scene.html

Oh, bummer! I just found their website and it said they would be closing! It does say there will be another coffee shop going in at the same location.
http://www.beanology.com/

So sorry to get your hopes up! I'll let you know if I hear of any others. :); 6:44 PM
C.A. Worcester said...: How much time does one want to spend on thinking about a cup of coffee? I think someone mentioned that the quotes ARE thought provoking.....so, perhaps some lost coffee yuppie (;-) will read it and start thinking on his/her way to work about the REAL purpose of life (IF they got the Rick Warren quote) and perhaps this will give them a push to find out for themselves about God. WHO KNOWS!!! But to really tear Starbucks apart for coffee cup quotes is a waste of time to me. When we pick up a newspaper do we NOT read it the next day if there is a really bad story about God in it? Do we protest it? Maybe, but most likely not.

And another thought: The quotes may be very unGodly, but the world is unGodly, but it is where we live. Drink your coffee so you can keep your little light shining!!!; 8:02 PM
MM said...: Come on people, dont whine, get brushed up on your apologetics!

I love Starbucks! - and actually, I really appreciate these messages on their cups. Think about it... if you are sitting across the table from a friend or stranger with whom you would like to bring up the topic of Christ, is there a better way to do it than by bringing up the topic printed right there on your coffee cup? How convenient! The more controversial, the better. The quote you mention, Crystal- about God being a figment of our imaginations- is an IDEAL conversation starter.

(The World Magazine blog recently published my post dealing with that very idea: http://vocatum.blogspot.com/search?q=freud)

When I was in China last spring, the newest symbol of freedom of conversation was that the government was permitting local Satrbucks to spring up... with their cups...praise God.

(Crystal, by the way, did you ever get that gift certificate for See's Chocolates that I sent to you? Im reminded of it because I almost sent a Starbucks gift card instead... :0; 8:06 PM
Anonymous said...: I believe if we as Christians stopped supporting businesses with unethical or immoral agendas or practices we might never be able to shop or eat out again, except perhaps the occasional Chick-fil-a, but other than that...
As for me, starbucks is way too expensive, doesn't have free internet, and their coffee is not that good.; 8:21 PM
TNfarmgirl said...: My family decided to quit going to Starbucks when we found that they contributed a LOT of money to pro-abortion causes. I am teaching my children to vote with their dollars - not to compromise and support companies that support anti-Biblical stands.; 8:21 PM
Anonymous said...: Okay I NEVER drink coffee at Starbucks so I rarely go (I don't like coffee)! I think their drinks and food are too expensive so I don't go. However, my husband works there part-time so he has to go! :) Yes, they do provide benefits including health care for part-time employees. The reason my husband works there is the benefits. He's a seminary student with a good part-time job at the seminary but it doesn't provide any benefits. Through Starbucks he gets vacation pay, health insurance, earns tips (all non-salary employees split what's in the tip jar), has stock options, and gets one pound of coffee (or package of tea) free per week. We don't agree politically with Starbucks but he is able to take a stand and show a difference among his co-workers there.

Jennifer; 8:45 PM
HomemakerAng said...: why of course they want controversy, it makes more money :)
I love the coffee too... I buy it for the taste, not the sayings on the cup; 9:05 PM
Anonymous said...: The "The way I see it" quotes Starbucks put on their cups are not representative of their company. They put multiple viewpoints on the cups and the company itself does not have religious or political ideologies that they make all their staff, shareholders, and customers adhere to. I think this is all about publicity. Plus, they do treat their employees well. As American citizens we, and our companies, have free speech. I say if you have a problem with it, exercise your own pro-Christian freedom of speech!

I don't like the quote any more than any of you do. But personally I look to places other than coffee cups for my daily inspiration!; 9:08 PM
Karen is Thrifty said...: I've never really cared for Starbucks. I would much rather have coffee from Dunkin Doughnuts or a local shop. I just don't like the grainy, bitter Starbucks taste. I had a cup one time that I thought for sure had dirt in it.

Someone made a comment about what great health benefits they have. They ought to for the prices they're charging and for the huge business they have.

I don't care for the messages they're putting on their cups. I could be wrong, but they probably just put the Rick Warren comment on there to pacify people from protesting.; 10:29 PM
rachel said...: Some of the best coffee I have had comes from McDonalds. And they have iced coffee, cappucino and latte. Not as classy as starbucks, but yummy and affordable. Although the vast majority of the time I make my own at home!
By the way, check out my new blog, www.rejoicinginhope.blogspot.com; 10:43 PM
Tish said...: I will never drink Starbucks again. Shame on them :(; 11:03 PM
Kim said...: Hi Crystal! Thank you for informing me about the cups - it gives me one more reason to despise Starbucks and it's over priced coffee...

Sorry, I'm just not a fan of Starbucks :(

Go Dunkin Donuts!!!! :)

By the way - I like the fact that you post about many different topics and not just Homemaking. Don't get me wrong I really look forward to your homemaking articles but it's also nice to come by and read news where I know it's safe. It gets my mind off my housework and other duties for a little while and lets me in on what's going on in the world. :)

Have a great day!; 12:13 AM
pfg blogmatron said...: Maybe considering 1 Corinthians 8 would help(addresses eating of meat once sacrificied to idols and being sold in the marketplace ~ consider the effect with brethren and act accordingly in love toward them).

http://www.blueletterbible.org/kjv/1Cr/1Cr008.html#10

Is anyone concerned about the ingredients "in the cup"? :-); 7:33 AM
Sarahndipity said...: No need to apologize, Crystal - I *like* to talk about "hot topics!" Anyway, at first, like you, I didn't understand why Starbucks had to print such controversial stuff on their cups. But mm does bring up a very good point that the quotes could be a great conversation starter.

I don't go to Starbucks much b/c their coffee is expensive. Plus I refuse to say "venti" and "grande." I don't see why they can't say "medium" and "large." :-p; 7:59 AM
Crystal said...: MM: YES! I got the gift card and THANK YOU so very much! It is sitting on our dresser awaiting being used. I wanted to use it right away to get some of my favorite dark chocolate, but I decided to use major self-control and wait until right before the baby is due - a time when a dark chocolate pick me up could be a really, really nice thing. :) Sorry it took me so long to say anything - I was planning to do a thank you post after I ordered and received the delicious chocolates! But then decided to wait to order for a few more weeks and failed to properly acknowledge your kind gift. Thanks so much - it meant a lot and brightened my day. :); 8:26 AM
Jessica said...: I don't go to Starbucks anyway, mainly because their coffee always tastes overbrewed and burned and they are a large corporation and I'd rather support smaller ones.

The crux is that a cup is just a cup, and how much time is anyone willing to waste on a small issue when there are much greater ones on there.

I value different opinions, and I'd rather they exist than have everyone agree with me.; 9:23 AM
MM said...: Crystal, :) Great, Im so glad they arrived!; 1:47 PM
Anonymous said...: mocking Christianity??? No they're not - they're promoting dissent and showing a wide range of opinions - a all or nothing Christian viewpoint is just as offensive to some non-Christians, don't you think?; 4:16 PM
Anonymous said...: I am not a coffee drinker.

Theresa; 9:37 PM
Kimberly Eddy said...: I don't go to Starbucks because we don't have one anywhere near where we live...in fact the only place I get a decent cup of coffee is at my own house :-)!

About the cups though...this is just my opinion from my own experiences as a pre-christian until I was 21...I was a leftie who knew that the best way to generate publicity for something offensive was to send an anonomys note to the local Christian community and let them advertise for me. This is how I advertized some very offensive films (BEFORE I WAS SAVED) as I was on one of the committees at college that brought in "art films" (read: offensive). I only spent $25 all year on advertising...I read stuff like the WND article and I think, "Come on, Church, stop advertizing for the enemy"

Furthermore, one of the reasons I was not open to the gospel despite having Christians all around me was that I didn't understand Christianity. I thought it was all about protesting and being a stick in the mud, and taking away freedom of speech...the grace that I embraced when I got saved seemed absolutely opposite to what I knew from how Christians demonstrated it..how sad..so I am cautious about how I handle these sorts of issues. I don't want any other pre-christians assuming from my protesting stupid stuff like coffee cup quotes that Christianity is all about silencing dissenters...instead I choose to proclaim the living Christ! Woo hoo.

I do like hearing that Starbucks takes care of it's employees...I wish more companies did.; 12:33 AM
Gena said...: I haven't read the comments o this post, but hopefully I haven't repeated anyone. I have mixed feelings. (1) Being a very frugal, stay-at-home, homeschooling mom, I have given up Starbucks. (2) I LOVE Starbucks coffee, so I'm not sure what I would do if I had tons of disposable income with which to buy Starbucks regularly. (3) My son's girlfriend works for Starbucks and has for a very long time. She gives us free coffee (beans) and I know the company has been very good to her. They have great benefits for their employees and they are wonderful about promoting from within. (4) Starbucks has not now, and has never (to my knowledge) claimed to be a Christian company. So, it is their prerogative as to what they display on their coffee cups. Even though I am a Christian, I do strongly believe in the separation of church and state, therefore I believe in the separation of Starbucks and state. (5) I understand that these cups will offend many people. In my opinion - if you have to have Starbucks coffee and their cups offend you, take your own cup. If you are truly offended by the company policy, quit buying Starbucks coffee. It is that simple.; 5:57 PM
Jill said...: My husband and quit going to Starbucks. Many people say, "well, probably lots of the places we give money too don't agree with our politics." Well, in the case of Starbucks they have put their agenda right out there and in our face. When I can I try to support coffee shops that I know promote the same values I do. Besides, I always prefer to support the little guy to the huge corporation.

Crystal in our area try Dunn Brothers. At the Dunn Brothers on Metcalf by Half Price Books (ideal location)my husband and I met a Christian young man working there and talked with him for awhile. We also enjoy Caribou coffee and Scooters. They are also chains but not so in your face with their attitude.; 4:51 PM
momof2 said...: Never really been a Starbucks fan, Tim Hortons has much better coffee and great donuts too! That said I think they are doing for publicity!; 5:55 PM
aussietigger1980 said...: i think if they were merely trying to make a mock of christianity, they wouldn't include the rick warren quote!; 7:20 PM

Thursday, May 10, 2007

What do you think? Starbucks and their controversial cups

35 Comments:

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