How do you feel about this quote, one of the many quotes you can currently find on the coffee cups at Starbucks locations?
"Why in moments of crisis do we ask God for strength and help? As cognitive beings, why would we ask something that may well be a figment of our imaginations for guidance? Why not search inside ourselves for the power to overcome? After all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure."
Starbucks customer Michelle Incanno hates it, and she has decided she can't go to Starbucks anymore.
Is the woman overreacting, or is Starbucks to blame because they put a controversial quote on the cup? The quote isn't endorsed by the company, but they did OK it to go on there. The quote doesn't seem anti-God to me, necessarily, it seems more pro-take responsibility for yourself.
And regular Starbucks customers: are there other quotes on the cups that are the opposite of this view so it all evens out? How many quotes does Starbucks have on their cups?








Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
5-16-2007 @ 2:25PM
Bear Silber said...
Wow, the things people tend to get angry at. It continues to astound me. I'm always amazed at the reactions that can be brought about by words. I love when companies allow things like this to continue, it sparks conversation and debate. Cheers to Starbucks for not pulling the cups.
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5-16-2007 @ 2:49PM
Kilgore said...
Lame of her! The vibe I get is that she's a person who is offended by views that are different from hers. She must be boycotting things left and right! What a loon.
http://www.kilgoreskitchen.com
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5-16-2007 @ 2:50PM
ar said...
Who the **** is Michelle Incanno and why should anyone care whether or not she goes to Starbucks?
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5-16-2007 @ 3:01PM
Veronica said...
And regular Starbucks customers: are there other quotes on the cups that are the opposite of this view so it all evens out?
Yep:
"You are not an accident. Your parents may not have planned you, but God did. He wanted you alive and created you for a purpose. Focusing on yourself will never reveal your purpose. You were made by God and for God, and until you understand that, life will never make sense. Only in God do we discover our origin, our identity, our meaning, our purpose, our significance, and our destiny."
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5-16-2007 @ 3:02PM
xes said...
The last time i was at starbucks i got the same cup and i was suprised a major company like starbucks would put something like that on there. i think its a great quote and very encouraging. It is nice to see a company take such a stance. This Michelle Incanno needs to shit her mouth and learn about free speech. starbucks has a disclaimer and i feel thats already giving her too much.
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5-16-2007 @ 3:12PM
Rachelle said...
ar, I'm right there with you. Oooh, so one person was offended by something they saw in public. Oh noes! Quick, let's cater to them before they try to hit us with a frivolous lawsuit!
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5-16-2007 @ 3:30PM
Mike G said...
In-N-Out Burger print Bible verses on their burger wrappers, drink cups, etc.
I'm not religious but it never occurred to me to be offended. I'm not so pathetic, petty-minded and lacking a life to complain about it to the media and file a lawsuit.
Some people just handle it if their religious viewpoint isn't completely dominant and catered-to in every aspect of their lives.
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5-16-2007 @ 3:58PM
Chef JoAnna said...
This has SO LITTLE to do with food, Bob, it strikes me as merely another one of your trolling-for-comments posts. But hey, I'll take the bait.
God-Schmod! As long as they don't start dissing the Flying Spaghetti Monster, I don't care what they say! I've been touched by His Noodly Appendage, and I am now a firm and adamant believer of Pastafarianism. RAmen!
Seriously - If you want to talk about offending people based on their religion/s, read anything by Richard Dawkins (especially 'The God Delusion") and get back to me. But this has precious little to do with food.
M'kay?
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5-16-2007 @ 4:12PM
JenQu said...
When did Starbucks turn into a governmental institution bound to the Constitution?
Er, um....
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5-16-2007 @ 4:57PM
Mia said...
I work at a "Christian" company, and I could see several of my coworkers boycotting Starbucks over this. But, we all (including corporations) have freedom of speech, and it seems like they are being fair about giving other quotes that show the other point of view. That's more than the public school system does, for the most part. I don't see the problem. If the lady wants to boycott people who are against God, there are plenty of better candidates. So as a "believer," will I continue to buy from Starbucks? Indeed, every Sunday right after church. May God forgive my sin of gluttony.
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5-16-2007 @ 5:04PM
sarah said...
They're all on the Starbucks website:
http://www.starbucks.com/retail/thewayiseeit_default.asp?
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5-16-2007 @ 5:26PM
Bob Sassone said...
Chef JoAnna: I usually don't respond to comments like yours, but this time I'll make an exception.
I don't "troll for comments." I'm not even sure I know what that means exactly. Does it mean I post stories that I hope will get a lot of comments? No, I post stories that I'm interested in and I think readers will be interested in. If it gets comments, that's fantastic (it's a blog, after all). And since I'm getting some comments here, including from someone who doesn't seem to like the post (you), then I've done my job as a writer.
As for your comment that it's not about food, you're right, it's about drink. We cover drink here at Slashfood too.
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5-16-2007 @ 6:21PM
MC1171611 said...
Sure, we all have freedom of speech, and we also have the freedom to boycott an establishment when they say, do or allow something that offends us. I, for one, do not shop at Wal-Mart because of their blatant positivity toward deviant lifestyles that are diametrically opposed to God and the Bible.
As a strong Christian, I can totally see why this lady made the decision that she did, and although I agree with her stance on the issue, Starbucks also has the right to do whatever-the-heck-they-want. Sure, expect consequences-that's what boycotts and protests are for. If you have a problem with something or someone, let them know; don't sue them! Good night, what has our once-Christian civilization come to??
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5-16-2007 @ 7:08PM
Emily said...
I love when atheists bring up the Flying Spaghetti Monster, its so cute. =) Unfortunately this reference does not compare to Almighty God. Where is the Flying Spaghetti Monster's 6,000+ year old book, which is the best selling book in all of human history? Where are the billions of Flying Spaghetti Monster's believers? Where is the historical verification of the Flying Spaghetti Monster's existence, crucifixion, and resurrection? What about the millions of Flying Spaghetti Monster believers who were murdered because of their dedicated belief in the Flying Spaghetti Monster? Non-existent, just like the Flying Spaghetti Monster. Nice try, Joanna. =)
Anyway, I agree with the boycott. This isn't the only anti-God cup that Starbucks has printed. Yes they have some pro-God cups, but where are the anti-buddha cups? Anti-mohammed cups? Anti-atheist cups? Why stop there? How about anti-disabled and anti-minority cups? Let's keep it real Starbucks, and spread the hate equally among everyone!
To a Christian, insulting God is like insulting someone who is incredibly close to you, that you love dearly with all your heart and soul. Imagine if Starbucks printed hateful remarks about you, or someone you love dearly (maybe a quote from your neighbor about how ugly your child is) on their cups. Would you just chuckle at it and keep sippin'? Give me a break. This is a major bonehead move on the part of Starbucks. Their ambivalance to this is even more maddening. This is clearly a corporate attack against Christianity by Starbucks.
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5-16-2007 @ 7:42PM
Kostika said...
Starbucks printed a quote that doesn't support the majority view and some are bitching about it and I think it's wrong. People are more than happy to have bible verses printed on thier burger wrappers, but a single quote that refences aethism and the world must have exploded.
Guess it goes to show which group is the more tolerant.
Chef Joanna: This is about food. I'm not sure how you could think it isn't.
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5-16-2007 @ 7:56PM
Jenne said...
Hey, the fewer people going to Starbucks, the better.
Who cares why?
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5-16-2007 @ 8:24PM
geeky said...
The God they are speaking of could be any god. Don't take it personally. Thats no way to start your day if some print on your morning coffee cup gets you bent. People have better(?) things to be upset about, like the jerk on the cell phone who cut you off on the way to work.
If it bothers you, just put a cup cozy over it, take a sip, and relax a little. It wont hurt ya unless you spill scalding hot beverage in your lap but then thats your own damn fault, butterfingers!.
If youre still upset, then try decaf next time. ;)
p.s. The non-Christians have, without complaint, forgiven In-n-Out (amongst others) for subjecting their beliefs on their customers.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Luke 6:31
"Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets."
Matthew 7:12
(I'm gonna get flamed for this, I know) :)
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5-16-2007 @ 8:53PM
~*@* said...
But there are so many other reasons to hate Starbucks. Why single out this one stupid verse on a coffee cup?
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5-16-2007 @ 9:09PM
Heidi said...
Actually, Bob, IMHO, this entry isn't really about drink per se. It's about what's printed on a cup but says nothing about anything INSIDE the cup.
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5-16-2007 @ 9:24PM
spamie said...
even as a christian, you have to admit that there's some truth in the quote: "after all, we are strong enough to cause most of the catastrophes we need to endure."
hasn't this lady ever heard someone say that God helps those who help themselves? i bet that lit a fire under her butt too.
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