Have you heard the news? Christians are upset about something. Oh, and they’re being vocal about it. Oh, and it’s about a cup.
If you haven’t heard, Starbucks recently released their new holiday cups, and some Christians are upset about them. In a recent viral Facebook post, an Arizona pastor wrote, “Starbucks REMOVED CHRISTMAS from their cups because they hate Jesus.”
Um, what the flippin’ heck?!
Seriously?
In previous years, Starbucks has had ornaments, nature scenes and snowflakes on their cups in November and December to add festivity during the holiday season.
Andrea Williams of the U.K.-based organization Christian Concern told Breitbart, “This is a denial of historical reality and the great Christian heritage behind the American Dream that has so benefitted Starbucks…This also denies the hope of Jesus Christ and His story so powerfully at this time of year.”
Really?!
Because I thought snowflakes symbolized winter and hot cocoa and mittens and watching A Christmas Story. I don’t remember seeing anywhere in the Bible how snowflakes personify Jesus. It seems that many Christians freak out when companies use non-Christian symbols like Santa or snowflakes in their promotional holiday material.
So, basically, no matter what the world does, Christians are upset. Use snowflakes, and we’ll scream our heads off. Take them off, and we’ll pee our pants.
Can I just say it again?
Really?!
And we wonder why the world hates us. Are we really going to get upset about how a company (who does not claim to be Christian, by the way) decides to DECORATE THEIR CUPS?!
Look where I am right now:
Yup, I’m doing it.
Ok, listen. I’m all for standing up for our beliefs. I believe in speaking up for the sanctity of life, for preserving the family unit, and for being allowed to practice our religion freely.
But I am not, I repeat, I am not ok with throwing condemning stones and crying “discrimination” about a freakin’ holiday cup.
IT’S A CUP, PEOPLE.
A CUP.
No matter your opinion on Starbucks and their practices, this is not a battle worth fighting. As a matter of fact, you’re hurting the Christian cause by getting your panties in a bunch over this. For reals.
How about buying a cup of coffee for that homeless person sitting outside in the rain and telling them Jesus loves them, and so do you?
That, friends, will help spread the love of Jesus. Not whining about a cup.
#SpreadJesusNotStones
Victoria Sengald says
Oh my gosh! YES!!!! Thank you so much for posting this. I’m so tired of Christians having this “holier than thou” mentality. Thank you for sharing!
Shanti Landon says
Thanks, Victoria!
Sarah Malone says
This is right on. Thank you for speaking up! It saddens me to see Christians using something as trivial as this to get upset about. You are right–it hurts our cause more than anything else!
Shanti Landon says
Thank you, Sarah!
Marcus says
I started following you a few weeks ago because of some recipes you shared in a gluten-free group I’m in on Facebook. I am NOT a Christian. I was really curious to see what you were going to say with that title. I have to say, you just bumped yourself up big time in my book. From my experience, christians are often happy to dish out the judgment, but then can’t handle it when they get called out on their own “sin.” I respect the fact that you are wiling to call out “your own” and say how ridiculous this is.
Like I said, I am not christian, but at least you made me believe that there are christians out there who are authentic people just trying to do good in the world. Love the hashtag, by the way.
Shanti Landon says
This is great, Marcus! Thank you for sharing! I appreciate your encouragement, and pray you meet many more authentic Christians in your lifetime. I truly believe Jesus would be grieved at the state our world is in today…for Christians and non-Christians alike. My hope and prayer is that there would be a revolution of authentic, real, Jesus-loving people who can help spread his love the way he intended. Thanks again for your encouragement!
April says
I think the focus was more on removing the word “Christmas” though…not so much about how they do or don’t decorate their cups with snowflakes.
It’s always important to keep the “big picture” very clear. Bit by bit Christianity is being scraped out of society, attacked, and being labeled in a negative way. Whether it’s big examples like burning down churches or beheadings, or seeking out Christians to shoot in schools, or suspending coaches for praying with their teams. Or the little examples of removing the “Christ” from Christmas and calling it “Holiday”. This may be a free country and we can do whatever we wish to do, but Christians know it is God’s country and we are His people. Everything good thing we are and have is because of Him. The only reason we’re all still here is because God wants to give as many people as possible, as much time as possible to repent and be saved. If we erase all signs of God from general society, even the seemingly silly things, and Christians don’t at least discuss the ramifications of the slowly dumbing down of of the general population and the makings of a Godless society…then what are we doing? If we don’t try to bring light to the subtleties of how God is being pushed out, how can we say we’ve done what God has asked us to do while we’re on this earth?
We all have free will to do as we choose, but for those who deny God, there will be dire consequences. What Starbucks and other corporations are doing or what schools are doing to remove God, or even what our government is doing to remove God may seem so subtle it can come across “as no big deal”, but we’re reminded very clearly that it is a big deal. “But whosoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in Heaven.” Matthew 10:33 It’s annoying and sad to me as a Christian that Starbuck’s did it, but I’m not surprised at all. It’s the way our broken world is headed. I agree that whining about something that bothers you and then not doing something concrete about it is annoying. People can vote with their feet and get their coffee elsewhere. But the complaining about changes such as these can help bring awareness to the bigger issue. Christians should be offended at the denial of God.
Shanti Landon says
I understand, April. It saddens me to see the direction our country is heading. However, I do not believe actions such as the one this pastor and others have taken will help further our cause at all. As I said, I believe it actually hurts us. As a Christian, I can only pray for God’s mercy on our country as it slowly but surely removes Him from everything. In the meantime, however, I will do the best I can to do what He has asked: Love others in His name. I will rely on Him to change hearts and minds, and allow Him to carry that burden on His shoulders. And I will be available and willing to do whatever He calls me to do as we go forward in the future. Thanks for the comment!
Andrea says
April, I think you have missed the mark on this one. It’s a cup. A CUP. I might have missed this verse in the Bible. Where did Jesus say, to honor me you have to set-up a Christmas tree? He didn’t. In fact the Christmas tree started as a Pagan thing. Yet, today if we don’t put up a Christmas tree, it’s not considered very Christian of us. I find it odd, that a lot of Christians make a big deal about celebrating Halloween, yet have no problem putting up a Christmas tree. It’s a cup, nothing more and nothing less.
Kristie says
It isn’t really about a cup or the coffee. It’s about a major influential business rejecting the simple message of Merry Christmas. As more and more businesses that we frequent turn to this way of thinking, our nation and the principles it was founded on ebb away. Like the tide splashes against the solid rock, destroying it slowly but surely is this kind of corporate example that destroys the rock that made America.
Merry says
Starbucks has a ‘Christmas Blend’ coffee bean. Also, I can’t recall the word ‘Christmas’ being printed on many (if any) of their previous cups.
This is just a very odd fight to pick, and it feels a bit like scraping the bottom of the barrel for things to target. I understand the feeling, though — it does feel really good to be offended and ‘fight back’ (I’m not being sarcastic!). I believe a lot of Christians feel like they should be fighting Evil, but haven’t got a good grasp of what or where that Evil is, so they choose a popular target without Discernment and go after it.
Discernment is one of the trickiest things to really grasp as a Christian, and we all screw up with it throughout our lives. Attempting Discernment without Love is . . . well, as the Bible says, (and I paraphrase) ‘a really annoying and crass sound’.
Onion Girl says
Yup. Christmas Blend coffee and an Advent Calendar, too.
Cynthia Patterson says
Another non-christian here. I have to say, this is so refreshing. It seems everywhere I turn, I see another story about how christians are mad about something. It’s always kind of baffled me that Jesus (who I believe existed, btw) was so loving and accepted EVERYONE, but so many christians seem like they have this exclusive club that no one else can join. I, like the commenter above, appreciate the fact that you’re willing to call out other christians when they’re doing something stupid. Good job and a great post!
Judh says
I am a born again Christian and I think this is great! Thank you for speaking up.
Pat Kahn says
Yes! Thanks so much for speaking up about this. Just posted a photo/comment regarding this from US Uncut on Facebook. It’s a photo of a homeless man. The text reads: Let me see if I get this straight; you’re upset because Starbucks is selling coffee in red cups without snowflakes and you call this a ‘war on Christmas?’
Let me tell you what a real war on Christmas looks like: it looks like hunger, poverty, homelessness, and bigotry. Now, leave the cups alone and fight those battles.
Shanti Landon says
I love that, Pat! Thank you for sharing!
Bobbie says
For one thing it is NOT ALL Christians!! I could care less what is on a stupid cup from a fast food place. I am Christian, but am NOT one of THOSE Christians who gripe about the trivial useless things like that. Do you lump Every Muslim with those radical Muslims in the France bombings? Social media has become a playground for hate-mongers. Think before you write!!!!
Shanti Landon says
Bobbie, obviously I do not lump all Christians into this category. I am a Christian, too! This is not hate-mongering, it is calling out judgmental Christians who I believe needed to be called out.
Bobbie says
I was speaking more of snipers from those comments above ours. I wish I could do what you do, Shanti. I am 63 and have seen some of the most intolerant souls in my time and have seen small groups of the loud in many phases of humanity cause more divisions, even among friends and family. When I first saw the cup issue on the news I groaned and said Not again.
Bobbie says
Snippsets not sniper
Bobbie says
Autocorrect strikes again. apologies.
Shanti Landon says
Oh! Thank you for clarifying, Bobbie!
Lorie says
Amen, Sista!!!