Four Observations on the Starbucks Red Cup Fiasco

For the record as I write this I’m sitting in my local Panera and not the Starbucks down the street, although my reason for that has nothing to do with Starbucks choice of cups.  It’s because THE PRICE OF COFFEE AND COFFEE RELATED PRODUCTS AT STARBUCKS IS ABSURD!  That and for my tastes nothing at Starbucks can beat Panera’s cinnamon crunch bagel.  Since it seems to be everywhere I look these days I thought I would share my thoughts on the recent Starbucks news.

1.     The guy who started this is publicity driven and probably cares more about his image than legitimate Christian concerns.  I should note I’m not using his name on purpose because I don’t want to draw any more attention to him.

2.     No right thinking Christian agrees with him.  There are plenty of things Christians should get upset about.  This isn’t one of them.  Remember, just because a video goes viral doesn’t mean everyone who watches that video agrees with what’s being said. I’m sure many watch his videos with more of a “what’s this idiot rambling on about now” attitude.

3.     More liberal leaning Christians need to realize this isn’t a conservative Christian thing.  Perhaps just as disappointing to me as the video was the numerous liberal Christian voices decrying this as a problem with the evangelical right wing Christian movement.  It’s almost like they were happy to point this out as a right wing Christian issue.  It was simply more ammo in their efforts to rail against what they see as what’s wrong with more conservative leaning Christians.  I feel like some need to be reminded that we’re all on the same team; saved by grace and living for Jesus.

4.     The culture war is real and worth fighting for.  What Starbucks decides to put on their cups for the Christmas season need not be a part of the culture war, but there are plenty of other issues worth taking a stand for.  On social media, many rightly pointed out our call as Christians to care for the widow, the orphan, the sick, the poor, etc.  The problem comes when they add “instead of getting caught up in culture wars.”  It shouldn’t be an “either or” kind of thing, it should be about both.  Yes we seek to be the hands and feet of Jesus caring for the least of these, and yes we also seek to take a stand for Christian values in our communities and the nation.  Jesus came to this earth full of grace and truth (John 1:14) and we too can be full of grace as we care for others and stand for truth as we seek to make a difference in our world.