The Starbucks Fiasco
Who knew coffee could create such a stir in the religious community? According to reports, the following message, printed on Starbucks coffee cups, has some Christians in a tizzy:
“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.” -Bill Schell
The cup is part of a campaign that’s been going on at Starbucks for years now to include insightful and interesting quotes from customers to spark debate and conversation. The fact that some people are upset at Starbucks for using this quote is exactly what is wrong in the Christian world today.
Five Idiot-Proof Reasons not to be Upset at Starbucks:
1. The quote is not against completely God. It is telling people that it is silly to take problems to God when he’s already given us the ability to handle the problems ourselves.
2. It recognizes that no one knows if God exists, but it does not specifically say that there is no God. It simply states the fact that we don’t know.
3. The opinion is specifically meant to spark debate. This cup’s quote gives you, as a Christian, an avenue for rebuttal to those around you. Speak your mind, don’t boycott Starbucks for allowing you to do so!
4. It is clearly stated on the cup that the opinion of Bill Schell is not the opinion of Starbucks. While they did make the choice to put the quote on the cup, they do not necessarily agree, and they are providing a forum on there website to discuss all of the quotes.
5. It’s a coffee cup.
Source: PopBuzzUk
Starbucks, coffee cup, Starbucks quote, coffee cup quote, coffee, Christian, Bill Schell
May 13th, 2007 at 3:32 pm
1. God wants you to come to him with all of your worries and concerns. Remember the verse about casting your cares upon Him?
2. If you do not know, how can you say that you are a true believer?
3. No comment on that one.
4. Why print or publish something that you are not for? It’s like preaching against excessive drunkness and then wearing a Budweiser shirt to church.
5. Does it matter where it is on? Should Christians not stand up for what they belive as well as others in whatever it might be that they believe in? Reguardless of where a quote is published, one should stand up for what they believe and voice their concerns to these companies.
May 13th, 2007 at 5:41 pm
Derek,
Its not that I think a person shouldn’t go to God, but I do think that God gives us the tools to help ourselves, and we should rely on those gifts, not on miracles.
Knowing that someone/thing exists and believing are too different things. That’s why it is called faith, not fact.
Christians should 100% stand up for their beliefs. This coffee cup gives us a reason to do that. I believe that Starbucks’ intention was not to say their is no God, but to view a viewpoint to spur conversation. If no one ever says anything, you can’t disagree.
May 14th, 2007 at 7:07 am
I like your approach. It’s commonsense and allows room for people to live together.
May 14th, 2007 at 8:10 am
I really enjoy the way that you reconcile spirituality with a real-world view; it’s a feat that few accomplish, as so many view the sacred and the secular as opposing forces, when, in fact, if He opposed the secular, we wouldn’t be here as we are. This article is a perfect example; it reflects faith, but encourages exploration and individuality.
May 14th, 2007 at 9:16 am
[…] Having previously written about the film, I’d like to further explore particular themes. Early in the film, Bruce relies heavily upon divine intervention to solve his problems and those of people around him. Even when he fills His shoes, Bruce continues to believe that a prayer is like a work order; put it in, and the guy upstairs gets it done. However, this system doesn’t work out so well, and he eventually learns that we, as humans, need to “be the miracle.” In her article about a quote on a Starbucks cup, Allison from Find Religion puts it more eloquently: . . . . […]