Little Things Count but Pick Your Battles Wisely
By Susan Steffen-Kraft
The battle over Starbucks’ decision to remove Christmas decorations from their red holiday cups this year is beyond crazy. The arguments that are being put forth on this issue are pure insanity and a waste of time. I realize that Starbucks is considered liberal, and in truth they lean that way. However, going after them on this issue is a big waste of time because of more important and terrible things going on in this world.
During every Christmas season since 1997 the Starbucks corporation has been practicing the tradition of serving their coffee in red cups that are decorated with some sort of wintry design such as snowflakes. But to the dismay of many, this year’s red cup is simply just plain red; no difference really from the one used the rest of the year which is just plain white.
The new red cup is boring to some but to Donald Trump it seems to be much more then that. He says we should boycott them but that is not because the cup is boring. It is because of Starbucks red cup that it has become a war on Christmas according to many. Is Trump right, that Starbucks took off the snowmen, stars and sledders from their cups because they hate Christmas? Oh please....I hardly think so. Besides if you believe in Christmas then do you really think that the lack of those things on the cups is what Christmas is truly about? The corporate world should not be doing our evangelizing for us if we are followers of Christ.
During every Christmas season since 1997 the Starbucks corporation has been practicing the tradition of serving their coffee in red cups that are decorated with some sort of wintry design such as snowflakes. But to the dismay of many, this year’s red cup is simply just plain red; no difference really from the one used the rest of the year which is just plain white.
The new red cup is boring to some but to Donald Trump it seems to be much more then that. He says we should boycott them but that is not because the cup is boring. It is because of Starbucks red cup that it has become a war on Christmas according to many. Is Trump right, that Starbucks took off the snowmen, stars and sledders from their cups because they hate Christmas? Oh please....I hardly think so. Besides if you believe in Christmas then do you really think that the lack of those things on the cups is what Christmas is truly about? The corporate world should not be doing our evangelizing for us if we are followers of Christ.
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I took pictures at a Starbucks store and these cups that you can buy have the word Joy on them. Yes, these are cups you pay for but in truth is this is not about Christianity.
Also, I called the Starbucks company the other day and a Christmas song that was religious was playing. And the lady that answered told me Merry Christmas when we were done with the conversation.
So did Jesus and his followers sit in a coffee cafe figuring out how to proclaim their beliefs? No, they did not. Jesus went out and mingled with others. He recognized that there were people who were needy; needy in both spirit and soul let alone homeless, sick and lonely!
This holiday should you choose to celebrate it has nothing to do with coffee, coffee cups, or stores selling expensive merchandise with decorations hanging throughout the store with snowmen, snowflakes, trees, etc. plus Santa's sitting there allowing the kids to take their pictures with them for money. I condemn no one for partaking in these activities by the way as it is freedom of choice and it is, in truth, just the season not just a day.
I took pictures at a Starbucks store and these cups that you can buy have the word Joy on them. Yes, these are cups you pay for but in truth is this is not about Christianity.
Also, I called the Starbucks company the other day and a Christmas song that was religious was playing. And the lady that answered told me Merry Christmas when we were done with the conversation.
So did Jesus and his followers sit in a coffee cafe figuring out how to proclaim their beliefs? No, they did not. Jesus went out and mingled with others. He recognized that there were people who were needy; needy in both spirit and soul let alone homeless, sick and lonely!
This holiday should you choose to celebrate it has nothing to do with coffee, coffee cups, or stores selling expensive merchandise with decorations hanging throughout the store with snowmen, snowflakes, trees, etc. plus Santa's sitting there allowing the kids to take their pictures with them for money. I condemn no one for partaking in these activities by the way as it is freedom of choice and it is, in truth, just the season not just a day.
Are we catering to the stores and making them money or are we working for the same goals that Christ did? He did not come to this world Did Jesus try to force people to say something? That appears to be Donald Trumps goal. He has stated, ”If I become president, we’re all going to be saying Merry Christmas again, that I can tell you. That I can tell you.” Talk about freedom of choice! Sorry, but I don't think Jesus would approve of forcing people to say that when he never said it himself. Freedom of speech or choice is what I stand for and somehow I think Jesus believes in that also. Yes, he wants us to follow his example in our daily lives but it is by free will and choice.
I have never seen Starbucks kick anyone out of their store if they think they are of a Christian faith. I know several Jehovah Witness who work in one of their stores. They have to work around the decorative stuff despite the fact they do not believe in Christmas! I know someone who is a Seventh Day Adventist who works in the same Starbucks and like the Jehovah Witnesses she is probably just grateful for a job and giving people red plain cups is probably not a big deal.
I have never seen Starbucks kick anyone out of their store if they think they are of a Christian faith. I know several Jehovah Witness who work in one of their stores. They have to work around the decorative stuff despite the fact they do not believe in Christmas! I know someone who is a Seventh Day Adventist who works in the same Starbucks and like the Jehovah Witnesses she is probably just grateful for a job and giving people red plain cups is probably not a big deal.
According to the company the "red cup represents a blank canvas for customers to put their own doodles" and also that they will continue to "embrace and welcome customers from all backgrounds and religions in its stores around the world." This is from an official statement issued by Starbucks. If you love Christmas and celebrate it, remember what the true spirit of this holiday is and that everyone should be allowed to celebrate or not celebrate it in their own way. For many I hope that would be helping others at this time of year. That is the true spirit of this holiday.
As the Reverend Aaron Todd said, "if you happen to be part of the “Starbucks is making baby Jesus cry” crowd and are considering adding your voice to the protests against this “godless” company (pro tip: ALL companies are godless) please don’t. It’s not to your benefit, to the benefit of your fellow Christians, and it is certainly not to the benefit of the Kingdom to do so."
Amen, Pastor Todd! What kind of example are we to assume that there is nothing about the Holiday Spirit in this store. The pictures I posted prove that. If that is all that Christmas means to you then you really don't know who Christ is and why he came to this world as a tiny baby.
As the Reverend Aaron Todd said, "if you happen to be part of the “Starbucks is making baby Jesus cry” crowd and are considering adding your voice to the protests against this “godless” company (pro tip: ALL companies are godless) please don’t. It’s not to your benefit, to the benefit of your fellow Christians, and it is certainly not to the benefit of the Kingdom to do so."
Amen, Pastor Todd! What kind of example are we to assume that there is nothing about the Holiday Spirit in this store. The pictures I posted prove that. If that is all that Christmas means to you then you really don't know who Christ is and why he came to this world as a tiny baby.
Get upset over things that truly matter and pick your battles wisely; and for my time this would not be a battle worth fighting!
https://whyevolutionistrue.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/the-latest-war-on-christmas-the-battle-of-starbucks/, https://thejesuitpost.org/2015/11/starbucks-war-on-christmas/, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/faithforward/2015/11/its-not-about-the-cup-christmas-starbucks-and-fake-outrage/, http://www.newsleader.com/story/news/2015/11/09/starbucks-christmas-cups/75445122/
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