New Starbucks Cups

[Dr T]

BIG BREWHAHA

Anti-God Starbucks cup has customer steaming

Woman says: 'I don't think there needs to be religious dialogue on it. I just want coffee'

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Posted: May 6, 2007

2:07 p.m. Eastern

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© 2007 WorldNetDaily.com

An Ohio woman is steaming after reading an anti-God message published on the side of a Starbucks coffee cup.

The message that got Michelle Incanno's blood boiling reads:

"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."

Michelle Incanno of Springboro, Ohio, holds a cup part of Starbucks' 'The Way I See It' campaign (Dayton Daily News)

The quote was written by Bill Schell, a Starbucks customer from London, Ontario, Canada, and was included as part of an effort by the Seattle-based coffee giant to collect different viewpoints and spur discussion.

"As someone who loves God, I was so offended by that," Michelle Incanno, a married mother of three who is Catholic, told the Dayton Daily News. "I don't think there needs to be religious dialogue on it. I just want coffee."

(Story continues below)

Incanno of Springboro, Ohio, admits she had been a huge fan of Starbucks before discovering the message, always ordering a large, house-brewed coffee with nonfat milk and two Splenda.

"I wouldn't feel right going back," she said.

The paper says Incanno wasn't satisfied with a company disclaimer saying the quote is the author's opinion, not necessarily that of Starbucks, which invites customers to respond on its website.

Starbucks spokeswoman Sanja Gould said the collection of thoughts and opinions is a "way to promote open, respectful conversation among a wide variety of individuals. "

Starbucks cup with a pro-homosexual message caused controversy in Waco, Texas, in 2005 (courtesy: Seattle Times)

This is not the first time a message on a Starbucks cup has caused controversy.

As WND reported in September 2005, officials at Baylor University told the Starbucks store on its Waco, Texas, campus to remove a cup said to promote homosexuality.

The offending cup featured the words of homosexual novelist Armistead Maupin.

It read:

"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 damn short."

Baylor University, the world's largest Baptist school, refused to comment on the issue, said KCEN-TV in central Texas. Employees at the campus Starbucks said none of their customers had complained about the cup, but they removed it nonetheless.

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[pushka]

I think it's an interesting exercise and wonder how many other Starbucks coffee cups have pro-God/Religious messages on them, so that it's all balanced.

The woman who complains should air her views on the Starbucks website, then maybe her message would be printed if it was pro-God/Religious.

[CrimsonKairos]

Instead of taking a swing at God, the quote's author could've just said, "When life gets hard, look inside for strength to overcome."

But no, it was a deliberate slam of deists/Christians. Whatever, the strongest vote in America (and worldwide for that matter) is the dollar, and if Starbucks loses money over it, maybe they'll figure it out.

Provide a service, not spirituality (or a lack thereof).

[Dr T]

In N out has Bible verses. It doesn't hurt.

[miztrniceguy]

my understanding is the owners of in-n-out are LDS

[Dr T]

I was told "Christian" and he only wanted his stores in the LA basin. It was not until he passed away that it started expanding. Once he died, Ben was able to enjoy the best burgers around. :)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/In-N-Out_Burger

[Blessed]

Back some years ago when I flew America West when I would get my tray there would be a Bible verse on the paper mat. I always thought it was a nice touch.

I got a venti white mocha this morning and the cup did not have a religous quote on it. Just a challenging thought.

[a-train]

It is a sad situation to imagine wherein a man gets his scripture from a coffee cup.

-a-train

[Dr T]

A verse vs. none. I'd opt for the verse on the cup. :)

[Blessed]

It is a sad situation to imagine wherein a man gets his scripture from a coffee cup.

-a-train

:) As usual, a-train, I disagree with you. :)

I think it is a wonderful idea and what a great way to use your resources (if you are the owner) to spread the Good News. It may be that one verse or scripture or challenging thought that could draw that person sipping on the cup to seek out God more than it would a blank coffee cup.

I have seen people wear t-shirts, seen bumper stickers and even billboard signs that have caused me to stop and think about God.

I don't know what the ratio or percentage of how many Amercians attend church on a regular basis... but I am guessing that it isn't all that many compared to the "unchurched." Where is the "unchurched" suppose to read inspirational messages that could lead them back to God if not on a coffee cup.

I think Jesus was right when he said "if they are not against me then they are for me." Maybe we should look at coffee cups not as a failure on our part as Christians, but just another tool that does work to the glory of God.

IMHO

[Dr T]

I agree Blessed. Spread it.

"if they are not against me then they are for me."

Can you give me the reference for that Blessed?

THank you

[Blessed]

I misquoted after goign back to look at it, Doc. It is from Matthew 12:30

[Dr T]

Thank you for that Blessed. :) Reading a verse might spark an interest in reading more. Maybe oneday then, that would lead to "be with him."

[a-train]

Dude, you guys took that soooo wrong..

What it means is that it is a sad situation that we have to put a scripture on a coffee cup just to get someone to read it. Shouldn't they be reading them anyway? This is what it is coming to. Virtually none of my non-LDS friends have so much as knocked the dust off their scriptures in years. Plenty of them don't even possess scriptures. They don't want to. This is what I am talking about. We live in a time that a person gets no scripture at all. A great many of our population in this country are more concerned with freedom from religion than freedom of religion.

I am in no-way saying the idea is bad. IT IS FANTASTIC! Those people NEED those verses. I hope they read them! Think about it. Would members of the LDS Church, as missionary oriented as we are, oppose the idea of scripture being published through any means? Of course not! We hope to fill the earth with the message of the scriptures.

sheesh.

-a-train

[Dr T]

I figured/knew what you meant A-Train. Because of the fact that you pointed out, about lack of reading, I said "A verse vs. none" - "Do it" :)

[LT04]

When I was in the Army we were given a survey of things we missed from the states when we were deployed. Starbucks coffee was first and crispy cream donughts were the second.

Starbucks was informed as to the demand for their product, they replied "we don't support the war on terror so we don't support the troops." needless to say you can see why Fort Hood, Texas didn't continue the contract for the three branches on post.

The radio personallities Bob and Tom in the morning said "we don't support the war on terror we think it's a senceless war, but we stand behind our troops." Isn't that a more positive stand to take even if you don't agree with what is going on?

On a happier note Crispy Cream came through. Not sure as to what dagree but the troops involved were happy.

I think Starbucks has gone to far. I'm less then impressed with their behavior. Let's hire "The Donald" to give 'um the big ol' YOUR FIRED!

-LT04

[FrankJL]

The starbucks refusing to work with the military is an false urban legend from years back.

Considering starbucks is owned and mostly patronized by people with a very liberal political views, it does sound like something that could be easily believed.

[LukeAir2006]

Wow. What a shocker. The biggest purveyor of coffee on the planet also has anti-God and pro-deviancy slogans on their mugs. Of course they have. I mean, God has told us not to drink their coffee. Of course they're gonna have anti-God slogans...lest any of us good Saints forget who's side these people are on! At least the Marriotts offer you the Book of Mormon and Bible along with your alcohol, coffee and pornography. We Mormons know how to run a business!!

[Guest mamacat]

didn't God create this earth and all its bounty? i understand the criticism for starbucks here....but let me suggest something if i may. the burgeoning of coffeehouse culture, made popular by starbucks esp, has moved an entire generation, among others, out of clubs and bars, where the consumption of alcohol is rampant, and into bookstores and coffeeshops, where the beverages are non-alcoholic, fun and intelligent discussion takes place, and literature is often part of the scene.

it's true -- coffee shops made it cool to gather with your friends and hang out in a safe place, free from alcohol, smoking, drugs and the meat-market mentality. scores of people switched their scene from partying at bars to interacting in the coffeehouse scene. the place that i first began discussions on the bible with a lively group of intelligent people was a coffee house, inspired by the coffeehouse culture that starbucks made popular.

perhaps starbucks utilizes methods to encourage diversity, rather than a christian focal point, but these are part of their worldwide marketing concepts. if you look at the bigger picture, perhaps these concepts are what will attract people to the coffeehouse scene initially, rather than the bars and clubs. perhaps there they engage in a conversation with a thoughtful group of people about God, or find a book in the adjacent bookstore about spirituality and Jesus, that they might not have otherwise found, in a less tolerant atmosphere, that will change their lives. much more so than a bar or club scene.

an alternative point of view.....just sayin'....there may be more to God's plan than is readily apparent. He often works in ways that we don't always understand.

[a-train]

You know mamacat, I've heard that there are places in the universe that are used to teach beings about certain laws that they have not yet mastered, but when they are ready they move from those places to places where those laws are in force and learn there about even higher laws which when mastered will allow them to move to yet another place. I also heard that in all of these places, the people are allowed to make their own decisions and learn on their own at their own pace. Your post just reminded me of that.

-a-train

[Guest mamacat]

deep.

do you take a bath towel with you wherever you go?

:)

[Dr T]

My towel is red. Looks like this ()

[Guest mamacat]

[Dr T]

Nice towel there too!

[Guest mamacat]