Dear Low-Information Christians: It’s Not Actually About Starbucks’ Festive Red Cups
I have mentioned from time to time my frustration with low information Christians which are found behind the pulpits and in the pews. My social media has been flooded with memes, articles and pictures implying that it is really ridiculous to be offended by Starbucks Holiday coffee cup. I couldn’t agree more. This particular cup really has nothing offensive on it. I think the cup looks quite festive and anyone offended by a red cup that they believe somehow enhances the War on Christmas should be embarrassed. Sure, there is always a war on Christmas this time of year and that is sad, but in no way does a festive looking red cup contribute to it. Isn’t red a Christmas color? The implication is that some Christians are really mad that the cup has no reference to anything Biblical that represents Christmas, which it hasn’t had in the last few years anyway. The cup is red… Isn’t that Christmasy enough? I seriously think the whole thing is strange and blown out of proportion. Please read on.
I am a bit concerned that most of the posts I have seen are from Christians. The war is raging from Christian to Christian. It’s like some Christians are saying that they don’t even want to be associated with those evil Starbucks-boycotting Christians! People who normally don’t post anything controversial are weighing in. Many are making comments about how this cup shouldn’t define our Christmas and are mentioning that we have so much more to be concerned about. This is really resonating with many people, so I thought I’d help a bit. I am giving everyone participating in this little tug of war the benefit of the doubt. I am assuming you truly have no idea about this. I completely agree that a cup shouldn’t define anyone’s Christmas. It certainly doesn’t define mine. Read on.
With that said, let’s focus our concern on something real. One of the most concerning pictures I saw was of a well respected Christian leader holding up a Starbucks red cup and making a comment about how he is living on the edge and drinking from “Satan’s goblet”. He was clearly mocking Starbucks’ boycotters. I doubt he has a clue that Starbucks financially supports the leading provider of abortions in the United States, Planned Parenthood, otherwise he wouldn’t be that cruel. Why would he mock pro-lifers?
I suspect he might unknowingly be onto something with his “Satan’s goblet” remark. If he doesn’t have a clue, I suspect many of the people who respect and like him will follow him and continue purchasing their coffee from a place that supports and funds baby killing and mutilation. Planned Parenthood is the leading provider of abortions in America and a pro-life person, whether Christian or not, might want to take that into consideration before they decide to purchase another Starbucks product in a red cup or not. When profits plummet, companies wake up.
In Illinois only, 112 babies are killed per day via abortion. Planned Parenthood is involved in many of these murders. By December 25, at least 5,040 human beings in Illinois alone, will be destroyed and will never experience any Christmas. Let’s not forget that Planned Parenthood is clearly involved with mutilating those precious babies and selling their parts for profit. Well, they are supposed to keep the parts as “intact as possible” for higher profit, so I am not quite sure of the word to use here? Planned Parenthood executives were caught on tape implying that careful expulsion ensures more intact usable baby parts, which results in higher financial returns. Now this sounds like it comes straight from Satan’s goblet. Doesn’t it?
This spells opportunity for all who care about our unborn and are willing to speak up for innocent life. Boycotting sends a message to companies supporting these horrors. This also gives us the opportunity to talk to our fellow Christians and pastors to make sure they understand what the coffee chain supports and to find out what side they are on. Many informed Christians boycotted Starbucks a while ago because of Starbucks’ contributions to Planned Parenthood and the companies’ political views in general.
Perhaps a great Christmas gift to get this year is a copy of the Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis. This book will explain exactly what’s going on here. A pretty red cup is causing lots of tension among Christians and that’s pretty sad. Christians are embarrassing themselves and other Christians with their ignorance. Preservation of our unborn should resonate with everyone who values human life at every stage of development. Do your own research. Make your own wise decision based on your conscience. No serious Christian would actually allow a cup to influence their decision. Cheers!
Image: Screen Shot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOe-Bf5iyzI