A tempest in a teapot; a crisis in a coffee cup. Starbucks (SBUX) stock share price was up 1.3% yesterday, and up over 20% from late August, even in light of the calamity whereby they chose a plain red paper cup to celebrate the holidays in its stores. For several years, Starbucks has used a red themed cup in November and December with Winter and holiday themes. But for 2015, it chose a plain red cup with its corporate logo; the idea, according to the company, was that customers would imagine their own themes against the solid background.
Out came a Facebook-posted video from Arizona-based evangelist Joshua Feuerstein that stated that the company removed Christ and Christmas from its cups.
He titled it, “Starbucks REMOVED CHRISTMAS from their cups because they hate Jesus.” He said, “Do you realize that Starbucks wanted to take Christ and Christmas off of their brand new cups? That’s why they’re just plain red.” It went viral, especially since many Americans get their religion from paper cups and not churches. In the video, Feuerstein added that he wore a Jesus Christ T-shirt into the store “just to offend” — and also brought his gun with him, since Starbucks “hates” the Second Amendment. He also said his name was Merry Christmas, to make a barista write those words on the crimson-hued cup. The video was seen over 12 million times in less than a week.
As the Washington Post reported, “Some say Jesus Christ healed the sick and died to redeem humankind. Little is said about his views on the Pumpkin Spice Latte.”
Many American religious leaders were quick to criticize the moronic attack on Starbucks, asking their adherents to focus on charity and world issues and not coffee cups. GOP Presidential candidate Donald Trump leveraged the controversy to get publicity about how he would fight the alleged national attack on Christmas.
Starbucks wrote in a press release that, “Creating a culture of belonging, inclusion and diversity is one of the core values of Starbucks, and each year during the holidays the company aims to bring customers an experience that inspires the spirit of the season. Starbucks will continue to embrace and welcome customers from all backgrounds and religions in our stores around the world.”
Jewlicious.com found a solution with the cup above. It appeals to the faith of Jesus as well as other new world coffee drinkers.
Oy To The World – Dunkin Donuts 2015 cup
