Should we drink Starbucks?

[Matthew1344]

Starbucks supports gay "marriage". Should we give them buisness? What are your thoughts on this and other issues like it?

 

[earl40]

I'll drink it but usually do not because I have a scruple about paying so much for a cup of coffee.

 

[Southern Presbyterian]

How do you know that the guy at the local farmer's market doesn't give 10% of the $$ you gave him for the vegetables he's selling to Planned Parenthood?

The only way to be 100% sure you don't support an objectionable entity in today's culture is to be 100% self sustaining.

 

[Philip]

Is it advisable? That's really up to you. For me, Sbux is sometimes just more convenient. Do I agree with their politics? No, but then again if I only shopped at businesses whose politics and view of morality I agreed with, I'd be starving here in New England. There are certainly places with better coffee which don't support gay rights, but not in Massachusetts.

 

[NaphtaliPress]

Ditto to the expense but if one makes this a "should not" rather than a I "choose not," that sort of principle is impossible to follow consistently; there are not enough Reformed Christians selling food and clothing and housing.

 

[arapahoepark]

I'll drink it but usually do not because I have a scruple about paying so much for a cup of coffee.

That is the main reason I don't support starbucks either. I have to have coffee when I wake up before I go out the door so going to starbucks if out of the question.

 

[Pergamum]

I need not check the belief systems of other merchants before I buy goods from them. While buying from other Christians is a good thing, we are not limited to only doing business with other believers.

 

[PreservedKillick]

I have an objection to over-roasted coffee beans and bitter (rather than strong) coffee.

More seriously, as a personal matter, I become wary of participating in any easier boycott like Starbucks when I consider the percentage of purchased items in my home and classroom stamped "Made in China," and the persecution meted out to God's people by that government. (This is merely a personal scruple--I respect others' decisions to prayerfully boycott what they wish.)

 

[VictorBravo]

I like Starbucks French Roast beans, grind them fresh and make it strong. I buy bags cheap at Costco in bulk, but I rarely go to a SBUX coffee stand. If I do, it is only to get drip coffee to go.

If I opposed every entity that supports homosexual marriage, I'd have to quit paying my Washington State taxes.

For what it's worth, the local Starbucks places gladly welcome people who gather together for Bible studies over coffee. It's become quite the popular venue for a number of local Christians--go figure.

 

[jambo]

I had a similar thought recently when the Travel Lodge group of hotels removed all Gideons bibles from their hotel rooms. We have sometimes stayed in Travel Lodges so I decided then to do so no more. However a couple of days later I found myself advising a visitor to use a rival hotel chain instead because of this. I then felt convicted by the thought that it is never right to blackmail the world we are trying to reach.

I would drink coffee from the place that sells the nicest, regardless of their beliefs

 

[Pilgrim]

I like Starbucks French Roast beans, grind them fresh and make it strong. I buy bags cheap at Costco in bulk, but I rarely go to a SBUX coffee stand. If I do, it is only to get drip coffee to go.

If I opposed every entity that supports homosexual marriage, I'd have to quit paying my Washington State taxes.

For what it's worth, the local Starbucks places gladly welcome people who gather together for Bible studies over coffee. It's become quite the popular venue for a number of local Christians--go figure.

I agree. Ere long, there will hardly be a large corporation in the country that does not support it. (I haven't checked lately but that may pretty much be the case now except for Chick-fil-a and Hobby Lobby and maybe a handful of others.) Some corporations have essentially been supporting some form of it since the 1990's.

 

[MarieP]

I need not check the belief systems of other merchants before I buy goods from them. While buying from other Christians is a good thing, we are not limited to only doing business with other believers.

My thoughts exactly! And, for you, I imagine there's not much of choice out there in the bush!

 

[Miss Marple]

I think there is a difference between Starbucks and the Farmer's Market guy, in that Starbucks announces and pursues and promotes homosexual stuff openly and publicly.

If the Farmer's Market guy had homo marriage signs or was wearing. "Gay and proud" t-shirt or something, I would not buy his carrots. He has made his marketing decisions. I make mine.

I don't buy Starbucks. I don't say it's a sin. I just like to utilize my influence as a consumer to influence the world as best I can.

 

[Reformed Roman]

I meet at Starbucks for discipleship, mentorship, and accountability with my Pastor every week. Last week while doing this a man asked us to pray for his daugther, and we got into a gospel centered conversation. It didn't have the best result, my pastor tried to inquire about his church life, and it seems like he was criticizing every church he has went to. My Pastor knew several of the men he was criticizing, and knew them as good Pastors, so he tried to inquire more, but the man had to go. My point is not only is it a fairly quiet environment and a good environment to study for free on wifi, but openly discussing the gospel there has led to good fruit.

If you remember the hobby lobby lawsuit going on, they seem to have some type of issue supporting abortion through their taxes, and providing certain abortion ish benefits to their employees. There are a few other businesses fighting with hobby lobby, but several businesses are not fighting. Many stores we shop at daily. I agree with most, that if we didn't shop at secular businesses we would be really limited in our options, and many of us would starve.

 

[AlexanderHenderson1647]

I think there is a difference between Starbucks and the Farmer's Market guy, in that Starbucks announces and pursues and promotes homosexual stuff openly and publicly.

If the Farmer's Market guy had homo marriage signs or was wearing. "Gay and proud" t-shirt or something, I would not buy his carrots. He has made his marketing decisions. I make mine.

I don't buy Starbucks. I don't say it's a sin. I just like to utilize my influence as a consumer to influence the world as best I can.

Joining with the minority voice here, no, I have identified (as best I'm able) companies that have made it policy and openly (either through press or through their public records) support blatantly sinful things (homosexuality, p0rnography, abortion, etc.) and do not patronize them. A good deal of my homework is through 2nd Vote, an app available. As best I am able, when someone makes it a point to openly hitch their wagon to some perversion, I give them less money to be able to fund it. Some tricks? Buy from mom and pops, for products that are produced by companies with openly wicked agendas you can purchase it from 2nd hand stores (there is a food pantry here were I purchase Starbucks once and again- after they've gone to these resale shops, the parent corporation has already written them off their books and they get no money from you,) grow your own, shop at Christian businesses like Chik-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby, buy generics (typically too small and uninterested to outwardly aligning themselves with much of anything.)

 

[SolaScriptura]

As has been noted ad nauseam, Christians can frequent the businesses of pagans.

However, as has been pointed out by a few here: Starbucks not only flaunts its support of immoral causes, it openly mocks Christians and has actually said they don't want our business. Of course, they scornfully jeer as they say it because they know that Christians are not as committed to our cause as they are to theirs, and so they know we'll continue to buy their products.

We give them millions of dollars a year in business and lament the very activism that we're funding.

Even Demetrius (Acts 19:24ff) understood that Christianity had financial implications for his business - Christians wouldn't buy things associated with paganism - and so perceived a threat to his livelihood. Too bad Christians are no longer known for making marketplace decisions on the basis of their commitment to Christ. We've all but lost a voice in the political sphere. But the marketplace is perhaps the place where our voices can be heard the loudest.
Indeed, in our world the marketplace is where the battle is waged so viciously: this is why the homosexual proponents so aggressively boycott not only the business they oppose, but they extend their boycott to anyone who does business with the initial company.

But again, we're no longer known as people who make economic decisions based upon our commitment to Christ. Apparently, Acts 19 was a long time ago...

 

[AlexanderHenderson1647]

As has been noted ad nauseam, Christians can frequent the businesses of pagans.

However, as has been pointed out by a few here: Starbucks not only flaunts its support of immoral causes, it openly mocks Christians and has actually said they don't want our business. Of course, they scornfully jeer as they say it because they know that Christians are not as committed to our cause as they are to theirs, and so they know we'll continue to buy their products.

We give them millions of dollars a year in business and lament the very activism that we're funding.

Even Demetrius (Acts 19:24ff) understood that Christianity had financial implications for his business - Christians wouldn't buy things associated with paganism - and so perceived a threat to his livelihood. Too bad Christians are no longer known for making marketplace decisions on the basis of their commitment to Christ. We've all but lost a voice in the political sphere. But the marketplace is perhaps the place where our voices can be heard the loudest.
Indeed, in our world the marketplace is where the battle is waged so viciously: this is why the homosexual proponents so aggressively boycott not only the business they oppose, but they extend their boycott to anyone who does business with the initial company.

But again, we're no longer known as people who make economic decisions based upon our commitment to Christ. Apparently, Acts 19 was a long time ago...

A word well said, Ben.

 

[Edward]

As has been noted ad nauseam, Christians can frequent the businesses of pagans.

However, as has been pointed out by a few here: Starbucks not only flaunts its support of immoral causes, it openly mocks Christians and has actually said they don't want our business. Of course, they scornfully jeer as they say it because they know that Christians are not as committed to our cause as they are to theirs, and so they know we'll continue to buy their products.

We give them millions of dollars a year in business and lament the very activism that we're funding.

Even Demetrius (Acts 19:24ff) understood that Christianity had financial implications for his business - Christians wouldn't buy things associated with paganism - and so perceived a threat to his livelihood. Too bad Christians are no longer known for making marketplace decisions on the basis of their commitment to Christ. We've all but lost a voice in the political sphere. But the marketplace is perhaps the place where our voices can be heard the loudest.
Indeed, in our world the marketplace is where the battle is waged so viciously: this is why the homosexual proponents so aggressively boycott not only the business they oppose, but they extend their boycott to anyone who does business with the initial company.

But again, we're no longer known as people who make economic decisions based upon our commitment to Christ. Apparently, Acts 19 was a long time ago...

Preach it, brother.

 

[Peairtach]

Good points. A Starbucks has opened in Perth, but there are plenty other good coffee shops to frequent, including Caffe Nero

I already avoid products like Ben and Jerrys' that I am aware are involved in this gay politicking.

Would it be wise to also send a them a letter telling about one's position and sharing the Gospel with them?

Sent from my HTC Wildfire using Tapatalk 2

 

[VictorBravo]

Starbucks not only flaunts its support of immoral causes, it openly mocks Christians and has actually said they don't want our business.

That's the thing. I have never seen any of this in person, anywhere. Even in Starbucks headquarters in Seattle.

How far do I have to dig to find out about this? I don't frequent many websites on the topic.

 

[Miss Marple]

They, as a corporation, signed an official brief to the U.S. Congress asking for recognition of homosexual "marriage."

 

[Philip]

Even Demetrius (Acts 19:24ff) understood that Christianity had financial implications for his business - Christians wouldn't buy things associated with paganism - and so perceived a threat to his livelihood.

Specifically Christians wouldn't buy his idols. I was in a Starbucks the other day, and I may have missed it, but I didn't see any idols being sold (I suppose French Press brewing is an arguable case, but I digress). It was not buying from Demetrios that was problematic, but what he was selling. Now if you want to argue that Starbucks is selling a pagan lifestyle in its coffee, fine. But the comparison with Acts 19 has little bearing on where we buy coffee.

We give them millions of dollars a year in business and lament the very activism that we're funding.

Presumably I was wrong to have worked for them for a while as well. After all, I was selling them my labour. I'm sorry, but when many of the products we use daily are made in countries which actively persecute the church, this objection rings a bit hollow.

 

[nick]

Great question. I've asked similar things along the way. I agree with Chris.

Side note: you'd never be able to use a computing device if you based your usage/purchases on worldview.

 

[ChristGraceText]

Even Demetrius (Acts 19:24ff) understood that Christianity had financial implications for his business - Christians wouldn't buy things associated with paganism - and so perceived a threat to his livelihood.

Specifically Christians wouldn't buy his idols. I was in a Starbucks the other day, and I may have missed it, but I didn't see any idols being sold (I suppose French Press brewing is an arguable case, but I digress). It was not buying from Demetrios that was problematic, but what he was selling. Now if you want to argue that Starbucks is selling a pagan lifestyle in its coffee, fine. But the comparison with Acts 19 has little bearing on where we buy coffee.

We give them millions of dollars a year in business and lament the very activism that we're funding.

Presumably I was wrong to have worked for them for a while as well. After all, I was selling them my labour. I'm sorry, but when many of the products we use daily are made in countries which actively persecute the church, this objection rings a bit hollow.

I tend to side here with you Phillip. I currently am a shift manager at a Starbucks (and in my area Starbucks employes many seminary students). The company has been very kind to my family and I. I've never had issues being a Christian, proclaiming Christ or engaging coworkers and regulars in spiritual conversations. I know of at least two store managers in my district that are firm evangelical believers as well.

If Christians begin to boycott companies because of their unbiblical beliefs and/or agenda, then coffee is not the only thing you'll be looking for. I hope none of you were using an Apple product to comment to this thread

 

[VictorBravo]

I hope none of you were using an Apple product....

Microsoft was a big supporter of the referendum that legalized homosexual marriage in the State of Washington.

 

[SolaScriptura]

Even Demetrius (Acts 19:24ff) understood that Christianity had financial implications for his business - Christians wouldn't buy things associated with paganism - and so perceived a threat to his livelihood.

Specifically Christians wouldn't buy his idols.

24 For a man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought no little business to the craftsmen. 25 These he gathered together, with the workmen in similar trades, and said, “Men, you know that from this business we have our wealth."

He's not just refering to the makers of idols, but to the entire "industrial complex" surrounding idolatry. If you want to adopt a myopic view of idolatry, that's your business. But I'm convinced that Romans 1 reveals homosexual behavior to itself be indicative of idolatry.

Again, it isn't that Starbucks is a pagan company. It's that it is a pagan company that openly scorns Christians. And yet we continue to give them our business. They snicker because they know our "moral indignation" won't rise to the level of actually taking a stand.
"Shame on you for supporting immorality and for belittling and mocking the moral framework that has been set in motion by our Creator... here's my money... now please hand me my latte frapucino! And don't you forget that lesson I taught you! What? I'm short a nickel? Oh... here's the rest of the money I owe you."

Sigh... if we only had the same degree of conviction that our opponents possess.

 

[SolaScriptura]

We give them millions of dollars a year in business and lament the very activism that we're funding.

Presumably I was wrong to have worked for them for a while as well. After all, I was selling them my labour. I'm sorry, but when many of the products we use daily are made in countries which actively persecute the church, this objection rings a bit hollow.

To the first part about working for them... is this supposed to be an argument? What you write is simply an example of self-serving bias, it is no argument. Perhaps you were wrong. (Gasp!)

So... in your mind shopping from a specific company that we know not only celebrates godlessness but belittles our faith is the same as going to (some random store) and buying something that is made in a country with over 1Billion people, and millions of companies, with some of these being companies that use prison labor... and some of these prison laborers are our Brothers and Sisters? See, if one could point me to the specific (foreign) company that is profiting from persecution by virtue of them using prison labor, then I would stop buying their goods in a heartbeat.

To say that "the nation persecutes" therefore all companies in the nation are immoral is like saying "the US sanctions abortion, therefore every taxpaying entitee is immoral." That is way too broadly painted.

But in Starbucks case, we've got something key: specificity.

 

[NaphtaliPress]

So what exactly is the difference between Starbucks, Apple and Microsoft as far as the point in contention?

 

[VictorBravo]

It's that it is a pagan company that openly scorns Christians.

I asked this before: where do I have to look to see this? I have not seen it anywhere I've been.

 

[Pilgrim]

Again, it isn't that Starbucks is a pagan company. It's that it is a pagan company that openly scorns Christians. And yet we continue to give them our business. They snicker because they know our "moral indignation" won't rise to the level of actually taking a stand.

They also know that a lot of the folks who they would deride as "Bible beaters" would never set foot in one of their establishments regardless of their views on this issue.