This past week, Starbucks released their holiday cup, like they do every year. This year, however, they left off any sense of decoration. This has stirred up controversy, and I want to give you my take on it.
Let me preface this with a blanket statement: I am a Christian, and the new holiday cup from Starbucks does not offend me.
In the past 48 hours, these are the three quotes that most amused me.
"Starbucks removed Christmas from their cups because they hate Jesus." — a man's viral Facebook rant.
"If you need Christ on your coffee cup, you may not have him in your heart." — a woman's Twitter rant.
"Starbucks has become a place of sanctuary during the holidays. We're embracing the simplicity and quietness of it. It's a more open way to usher in the holidays." — Jeffrey Fields, Vice President of Design and Content for Starbucks.
Starbucks as a company never intended to cause offense or controversy, and yet, a group of Christians is severely offended. I have a list of reasons why I am not offended, but I'm not going to list them. If you care for my full opinion, you can contact me directly.
For the sake of all Christians not offended by this design, I'm going to say something that may make some people upset: you are pitching a fit over the lack of decoration on a paper cup that you're paying $5.00 for the contents of. You have the choice to not give Starbucks your business. You have the choice to give that money to a greater cause. You have the choice to be calm and collected and respond kindly and graciously in the face of what you see to be offensive and controversial. You have the choice to show the attitude of Jesus Christ in a situation that you deem to involve Him.
Be Christ-like.
Show your Christianity in a way that would make Him proud.
Do not go seeking offense.
Lastly, for the love of all that is good and holy, do not smear the name of Christianity any more than it already has been by those who claim to love Jesus but act in full opposition of his teachings.
If those upset by Starbucks' red cups spent the time and energy they're spending being offended by this minimal act doing something important or loving for the good of humanity, Christians would get a much better reputation than the one we have now.
There are thousands of more important things to be offended over. There are national adoption issues, widespread hunger, unemployment inequalities and education deprivation, but you're upset over a paper cup.
So I beg of you, stop being offended over an action that had nothing to do with you, me, or Jesus Christ, but had to do with a choice in minimalist design methods. Drink your coffee or don't, and have a Merry, merry Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanza, or whatever you choose to celebrate.
