Posted by
Rubberduck Crusader on Tuesday, May 08, 2007 11:52:04 PM
Ok, folks! I said that I was going to retire fom this blog, but I find I just can't. What's really got me burned is the policy and attitude of the Starbucks corporation. I would first like to say that I don't really like boycotts, and have some doubts as to their effectiveness, but I can think of no other weapon at this point to use against this despicible and cowardly company.
A little background: The other day I was reading a story in World Net Daily (
http://wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=55564), and I became so incensed that I fired off an email to Starbucks. The reply was as amazing as it was pitiful. Basically, Starbucks has a program called "as I see it" where quotations are printed on their paper coffee cups. The WND story is about a woman who was truly offended by a particular cup that denigrated God, and people who believe in God.
First, my email to Starbucks:
Sent: May 6 2007 7:16PM
To: info@starbucks.com
Subject:
Message: I don't really care how anyone else "sees it"...I just want coffee, and don't want to be subjected to anybody else's opinion to get it. So let's knock it off, ok? You've already offended a number of your customers; I don't plan on returning as long as this drivel is on the cup.
Now, get a load of this response:
Thanks for taking the time to write and express your concerns about the recent "Way I See It" quote from Bill Scheel. Our goal with "The Way I See It" is to promote a free and open exchange of ideas and thoughts on a wide variety of topics. We think this tradition of dialogue and discussion is an important facet of the coffeehouse experience. In fact, the conversation around Quote #247 is sparking dialogue, which is the original intent of the program.
Here are some of those cups that have appeared in the past that take a different point of view from Mr. Scheel:
The Way I See It #92
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 WarrenAuthor of The Purpose-Driven Life.
The Way I See It #158
It's tragic that extremists co-opt the notion of God, and that hipsters and artists reject spirituality out of hand. I don't have a fixed idea of God. But I feel that it's us - the messed-up, the half-crazy, the burning, the questing - that need God, a lot more than the goody-two-shoes do.
-- Mike Doughty,Musician.
After reading these quotes, I hope you'll feel that the quotes for the program reflect a broad array of thoughts and opinions.
Thanks again for writing.
Sincerely,
Shawn H.
Customer Relations, Starbucks Coffee Company
Now, I don't know about you, but I got the distinct impression of, "Let's just placate this Jesus-freak" from that response. And I do not react kindly to discrimination against those who believe in God (I still haven't been in Target since they banned the Salvation Army at Christmas). Needless to say, not contented with that answer,
I responded with:
You're in business; why would you want to take a chance on offending your paying customers? If I want "dialogue", I'll strike up a conversation with someone. Starbuck's is not the only place that sells coffee, you know. You are not only offending individual customers, but you are getting very bad press; and many people, like myself, that love God do not take kindly to having our beliefs (or our God) ridiculed, and will not do business with people who do, or with those who facilitate those who do. So, dig in your heels if you wish, but be prepared to accept the consequences toward your "bottom line".
And, having thought further, I added this post-script:
P.S. Let me just ask you this; if a particular quote was determined by some to be offensive to Jews, or Muslims, or Afro-Americans, or Hispanics or anyone else, would you have the courage to print that on your cups? Of course not! Why then is it acceptable to print something that you know is going to offend Christians? Because you know we'll "turn the other cheek"? What cowardice!
My dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, as believers, we are being persecuted as never before in this country, and unless and until we rise up, and fight for ourselves, we continue to send the message that we're fair game; that it's ok to ridicule believers, that it's ok to discriminate against us, take away our religious freedoms, and we'll do nothing to defend ourselves. And it's not just Christians; there is a definite groundswell of militant atheism that seeks to do away with all belief in God. I, for one, am having none of it!
Will you please join me in sending a message to Starbucks? Please email them, and let them know exactly why you won't be buying your coffee from them anymore! And then, pass the word along to all your friends and families to have them get on board. It's a small start, but at least it's a start, and we need to start somewhere!
Pax,
RC