link Starbucks stirs things up with a God quote on cups By Cathy Lynn Grossman, USA TODAY Wed Oct 19, 7:25 AM ET Coffee drinkers could get a spiritual jolt with their java in the spring when Starbucks begins putting a God-filled quote from the Rev. Rick Warren, author of the mega-selling The Purpose-Driven Life, on its cups. It will be the first mention of God in the company's provocative quote campaign, The Way I See It. In 2005, Starbucks is printing 63 quotes from writers, scientists, musicians, athletes, politicians and cultural critics on cups for company-run and licensed locations to carry on the coffeehouse tradition of conversation and debate. Some mention "faith in the human spirit," but none is overtly religious. Last month, Baylor University pulled Starbucks cups after objections to a quote from writer Armistead Maupin saying that "life is too damn short" to hide being gay. Warren says the idea of a grande pitch for God as creator came to him after seeing a Starbucks quote on evolution from paleontologist Louise Leakey. Because Starbucks solicited customer contributions for 2006, Warren sent his in. On Tuesday, Starbucks spokeswoman Sanja Gould confirmed that it would be used. The cups carry a disclaimer that the opinions "do not necessarily reflect the views of Starbucks." But a few companies plant clues to Christianity in their wrappings, music or signs precisely because the owners are believers. In-N-Out Burger, the California-based fast-food chain, has included tiny notations for Bible verses in some of its burger and drink packaging since Richard Snyder, son of the founders, called for it in 1987. "He told me, 'It's just something I want to do,' " company spokesman Carl Van Fleet says. After Snyder's death in 1993, "the family felt strongly about keeping this just as he had done it" at its 196 outlets in California, Arizona and Nevada. The Bible book and verse in minuscule type "are so subtle most of our customers never notice." One who did: Don Chang, the deeply religious founder of clothing chains Forever 21 and XXI. Five years ago, the clothier copied In-N-Out by stamping the Bible book, chapter and verse notation John 3:16 on the bottom of his stores' shopping bags: "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." It's "evidence of faith," corporate spokesman Larry Meyer says. Other owners making a faith statement in the secular marketplace include David Green, whose craft chain Hobby Lobby plays only Christian contemporary music in its 362 stores, and S. Truett Cathy, who advertises that Chick-fil-A sandwich shops nationwide are closed on Sundays to free employees to focus on faith and family. "Americans are more accepting of overt religiosity these days, and corporations are good at figuring out how to do it with a light touch, one that's not going to scare off unbelievers," says sociologist David Halle, director of the LeRoy Neiman Center for the Study of American Society and Culture at the University of California-Los Angeles. Alaska Airlines has put baseball-card-size prayer cards on hot-meal trays for 30 years "just to differentiate us from the competition," spokeswoman Amanda Tobin says. "Compliments have always far outweighed complaints."
This is completely rediculous! They're printing quotes from various artists/musicians/authors/whatever on those cups, so it's not like they are 'preaching the gospel' because the offensive word 'God' happens to be included in the quote. Utter silliness and paranoia Also, this is a private business, not a government organization, so even if they are 'believers' and want to include a few quotes from religious books (which are philosophy books more or less if you don't believe in them) they have every right to, and I don't think Starbucks will lose business over this.
As private businesses they're free to do what they want with their packaging. I would ask Rhester as a pastor and other Christians though what they would feel about Starbucks using Christian quotations as a marketing ploy.
I will gladly buy a Grande Soy Latte if I can get it in a cup with the following quote on it: "Albert Pujols is Satan's Spawn" - God
Good comment. And at first glance 'marketing ploy' sounds base. (Even guys running around in public with JOHN 3:16 signs don't do much for me) I think fundementally the Christian message should be given freely without monetary profit motives. Ploy sounds like you are just baiting someone for profit. And maybe that is their intention. But I will think better of them on this one and give Starbucks a good intention vote- Perhaps they are just recognizing the value of Bible quotes in compiling a list of 63 quotations. It is nice to think that even non-Christians see value in including Bible quotations in a list they hope receive a positive response. I say no harm in putting scriptures on cups, someone may read them and become interested. Of course I already can imagine some reaction letters to Starbucks coming soon.....
my response wasn't to you...sorry if it came across rude. it was a sarcastic response to the question of what do other Christians think about this. again...i don't care. Christianity has long been part of the marketplace of ideas. that this is included on a Starbuck's cup is not something i'm very concerned with.
Nope. I understood. Feel likewise anyways; just bored waiting for 'Stros, I'm a huge Astro fan. BTW- I told someone over a week ago I have this nagging feeling I can't shake that they would get the Cards in 7 games with Roger winning game 7. Now I am hoping big time they can finish tonight. Nervous Houston Sports Fan at your service.
Maybe "ploy" was too strong of a word but I do think Starbucks is clearly putting quotations on their cups as a part of a marketing strategy. The article you posted states that they do that to try to stir up conversation in terms fo the coffeehouse tradition so putting quotes onto their cups is a sale point.
since you're a pastor...and we ate lunch together once...would you preside over my funeral in the event we don't beat the Cards? thanks in advance.
This is an odd response to the article posted. Where did it make a big deal about the quote being used?
I would burn some incense for you but I will probably need someone to mourn over me if the Stros lose to the Cards. But that academic since WE ARE GOING TO BEAT THEM! IF NOT TONIGHT THEN TOMORROW! LETS GO STROS!
Does Starbucks put Christian quotes on all their cups, including drinks in other countries that may not have Christianity as a major religion? That'd be an interesting point to know.
What's the "rediculous" part. The article merely noted that it was occurring, not that there were angry atheists burning down coffee plantations.
