Woman has had it with Starbucks because of quote on cup

Michelle Incanno says she was offended by this quote on a Starbucks cup: "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." After reading that, she says, "I wouldn't feel right going back [to Starbucks]." (Dayton Daily News)

Comments

[SUPERBARISTA]

AHAHAH BOSTONSTARBUCKSREBEL I LOVE U

THE CUPS ARE WORKING!

[Bladerunner]

Poor god, if we don't believe in god he/she/it will die! A mental delusion, runs our country! Clap your hands so Tinkerbell won't die kids.
I love you mean, nasty and narrow-minded worshipers sooo much that I don't work Sunday Mornings anymore. You trash the store, yell at us when you've ordered your drink wrong, and fail to leave a tip after ordering 20 drinks. Godsmack Sunday mornings. Yes God has made you a better person. Hate to think what you were like before.
Here's an idea, get a create your own ( kinda like god) cup and put your own "safe for your non-thinking brain" quotes on there!

For more info go to...

http://www.whydoesgodhateamputees.com

Its time to stand up for the rights of all people, not just the moral majority. Our great american version of the Taliban.

[Lauren]

Harmaa

I completely agree with you. I've taken several cups to offense -- serious offense. At the same time I've loved a lot of them ("Perhaps what you are looking for can be found on the side of a coffee cup, you are lost.") But I haven't stopped working there. In fact I sigh and think, 'what a GREAT, and OPEN, and ACCEPTING company I work for that can allow even the most obtrusive of beliefs to be printed on their cup!'

They have SUCH a social influence that, yes, it is their duty to portray what's right. And what's right? Being open and accepting.

[pepperminthotchocolategirl]

NDZBARISTA you rock!!

As for the cups..why do we even need quotes on them? It's stupid really..as most of the quotes I have had are stupid and make no sense and actually do put people down mostly. So why doesn't starbucks axe the quotes and instead..just leave the cups alone. A cup is a cup is a cup..I don't need quotes on it or pretty pictures etc etc..just give me something that won't leak.

But I agree, that was an attack on Christians and I myself am one and I'm not proud of Starbucks for that. That's why I say let's just get rid of the quotes because everyone is offended by them anyways, none of them really enlighten you or make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. In fact they just make you say well gee that's stupid.

[Pianocavitt]

a) The woman's entitled to her belief and to state them as well as entitled to not go to Starbuck's because of it.
b) I'm sure those of you who feel that "most overly religious people are idiots" would be just has happy not to have her come to your store - from what I read on here you all have plenty of idiots that come in anyhow.
c) Those of you who are so offended by this woman's narrow mind seemed to be equally narrow minded about an opinion that differs from your own.
d) My God is big enough to survive a quote on a Starbucks' cup and as some of you have stated - for those who are able to listen to opinions that differ from their own - the quotes prompt interesting discussions (although some that I have seen are just stupid).
e) People on BOTH sides of the religious issue are offended WAY too easily.
f) I need to stop chatting so much with my baristas and read my cups :)

[Michelle Incanno]

If any of you have a problem with this, find a country that supports your religion. Jesus and I are proud to be Americans.

Michelle Incanno
20 Millard Court
Springboro, Ohio
(937) 886-2932

[Michelle Incanno]

P.S. Jesus and I are crummy tippers.

[Kat]

"Posted by: Pianocavitt
Those of you who are so offended by this woman's narrow mind seemed to be equally narrow minded about an opinion that differs from your own."

I'm not narrow minded. She's more than welcomed to believe whatever she wants, and I'm fine with that. But she got insulted over a coffee cup for cripess sake, then goes public with it. Why? She trying to shame Starbucks somehow? Can't she just send Starbucks a letter of complaint and go elsewhere, or ask for a different cup next time and be done with it instead of making some issue out of it? Because given everything going on in the world? This isn't anything at all. Companies put crap on their merchandise all the time I don't like but I don't make some issue out of it.

[Kat]

"P.S. Jesus and I are crummy tippers."

LOL I like that :P

[Summer]

Web-master...interesting you delete some arguments which are interesting but you allow this anti-Christian dunder head their rant.
You need to remember Bladerunner if you have an open mind your brains will fall out.

[Pianocavitt]

"But she got insulted over a coffee cup for cripess sake, then goes public with it. Why? She trying to shame Starbucks somehow? Can't she just send Starbucks a letter of complaint and go elsewhere, or ask for a different cup next time and be done with it instead of making some issue out of it? Because given everything going on in the world? This isn't anything at all."

I do agree with you that there are much bigger things to take issue with. And yet...someone saw fit to make news out of it - you would think that there would be better things to fill newstime/newsprint with too.

[Pianocavitt]

"P.S. Jesus and I are crummy tippers."

I'm pretty sure Jesus would have been using his extra change to buy an extra cup for the homeless guy outside the store. Otherwise, I think people would find Jesus to be a generous tipper. I'm sorry you have had bad experiences with people presenting themselves as his followers.

[Onlooker]

In Starbucks defense, there was that really good intelligent design quote linking Darwin's theories with racism. You just gotta look at the big picture.

[Kat]

"Posted by Pianocavitt: I do agree with you that there are much bigger things to take issue with. And yet...someone saw fit to make news out of it - you would think that there would be better things to fill newstime/newsprint with too."

Well I agree with that also. Sometimes the media gives attention where it really doesn't need to be given. I wonder if she went to the press, or somehow word got to them about this.

[Taylor]

So many things could be said regarding this issue. I wholly agree that she is allowed her own opinions and beliefs, but I also feel that going "public" about it has pretty much renounced that right for her.

You could take any quote on our cups and find someone who is offended, for whatever reason. That's why people are individuals, they have their own feelings and beliefs. So how come other offenses are disregarded/ignored but there is a necessity to bring offenses to religion out in the public? To rally support?

Everyone is to sensitive. This is the 21st century. Religion is there for those who need it, and is in a quiet background for those who don't. Let's leave it that way. I personally liked the quote. It is advising that we, as a powerful species, look to ourselves for strength. I've seen many people pray their hearts out for things that never come to pass. Often I feel they could have coped better had they not felt let down by their god, whomever it may be. And maybe they could have offered their families more personal, compassionate support had they not convinced themselves it was meant to be that way.

I am not for atheism nor am I for religion. I am for people being there for people. For family support and friends. When I am upset, I want something tangible. Someone I can hold, and talk to, and have talk back. Someone who can empathize with me right then and there. No god can offer that.

Your coffee cup is a creation of man, as is the quote. Starbucks is not policing opinions. You have enough free will to chose to not read it and to disagree. One should not need the quote removed to reinforce beliefs and faith. I could write a whole paper on this.

[Deanne Martin]

As a Christian and a former Shift Manager of 2 locations, I can see how it might offend those who just happen to read the cups at the wrong moment in time. But I think the quotes are randomly chosen and Starbucks hold a non bias opinion to all the quotes it recieves.

But I agree, that was an attack on Christians and I myself am one and I'm not proud of Starbucks for that. That's why I say let's just get rid of the quotes because everyone is offended by them anyways, none of them really enlighten you or make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. In fact they just make you say well gee that's stupid

It was not an attack, get off of that. Stupid is as stupid does, do you not get tired of saying stupid things?

Web-master...interesting you delete some arguments which are interesting but you allow this anti-Christian dunder head their rant

It's his site to do as he likes...

[Deanne Martin]

So lets get rid of all quotes...yea thats the answer. NO, how about leave the cups alone and you can read them or throw them away. No one forced the women of discussion to read or even think twice about the meaning behind the quote. AS A CHRISTIAN I TAKE OFFENSE TO THE QUOTE BUT I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT AS HUMAN, WHAT I BELIEVE IS NOT THE SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE.

[Darleen]

I'm pretty sure Jesus would have been using his extra change to buy an extra cup for the homeless guy outside the store. Otherwise, I think people would find Jesus to be a generous tipper

Thats awesome! I like the way you think...

[Deanne Martin]

its true, you know that he would have done either one of those things, even with the quotes.

[Darleen]

I am not for atheism nor am I for religion. I am for people being there for people. For family support and friends. When I am upset, I want something tangible. Someone I can hold, and talk to, and have talk back. Someone who can empathize with me right then and there

Taylor, you hit the nail on the head. What powerful words...thank you! :)

I wasn't surprised at all when I read that cup. Of course the most liberal company in the world would put a qoute about God not exsisting on their cup. Having the Christian and conservative background that I do, its hard for me to work here sometimes. I really do not like how Starbucks embraces all people and ideas. But that's just me...

Having the Christian and conservative background that I do, its hard for me to work here sometimes. I really do not like how Starbucks embraces all people and ideas. But that's just me

No, thats most "so called" christians. Only the people who believe what YOU do will get to heaven right? You're way of thinking sickens me

If it were me in that store I'd just demand a different cup.

Says something about your personality there huh? You would DEMAND another cup? This is exactly the sense of entitlement that drives me bat sh*t...

If it were me in that store I'd just demand a different cup.

Says something about your personality there huh? You would DEMAND another cup? This is exactly the sense of entitlement that drives me bat sh*t...

If it were me in that store I'd just demand a different cup.

Says something about your personality there huh? You would DEMAND another cup? This is exactly the sense of entitlement that drives me bat sh*t...

[jlr]

===============================
Says something about your personality there huh? You would DEMAND another cup? This is exactly the sense of entitlement that drives me bat sh*t...
===============================
I don't get it - It is WRONG to ask for a different cup? Hey - you can't have this both ways folks. If the issues is that sbux the right to put anything it wants on the cup then the right thing to do is that if someone is ticked off, to replace the cup. Better to NOT print cups that light people up, for sure, but if you do, then replacing the drink should be just fine........I mean if they choose to now say 'Allah is the only path' or that Jesus was just a man......well,,,,,I DONT WANT it on my cup.........would they rather risk losing the customer? I wouldn't think so - hence all those offended by this stupid idea should literally ASK for that replacement cup. you can't have it both ways.

Also, This isn't about free speech or that Starbucks doesn't 'proclaim' this stuff. Starbucks chooses to put this on its cups so it has to understand that it upsets people......if an independent shop were to do this the owner would have to answer....so should SBUX.

For the record I think the decision to highlight things like this is a great idea if it is your policy to do so. Love liberal thought ? PROCLAIM IT ! Love JESUS? Tell the world !! But to do so and then claim that it is just, 'the artists opinion' is so lame.

[Sbuxnewbie]

I keep going back, and reading the original quote, and the responses, and I keep wondering...

Why is this construed as an attack on Christians?

I never saw anything that contained the word "Jesus" or "Christ" in the quote, merely "God".

Couldn't it have just as easily been an attack on Jews, or Muslims, or Zoroastrians, or some other group?

Or, more insidious than that, maybe it wasn't an attack at all! Maybe it was someone expressing a [gasp!] opinion!

I wonder what some of these people would make of Thomas Jefferson's writings about religion...

[ndzbarista]

It's good to see so much discussion on religion. I won't back down in representing the Christians in the world. There's obviously not enough of us. And people, all organized religion isn't a televangelist on T.V. It's not fire and brimstone and suits and southern accents. It's intelligent people accepting a faith and getting together to celebrate it. Leave us alone if you don't like us.

As for the vast majority of those who are bashing us as being narrow-minded and uppity folks who are trying to look for complaints. Grow up.

This is a quote that offends people. Do you understand how business works. Now I don't care if you do or don't believe the way I do. I'm not trying to change your mind.

And I ESPECIALLY don't care that this person who gave the quote doesn't necessarily believe in a God. I'm a smart man, and I've done a lot of thinking and research on the subject. I'm not going to devote my life to something if there's a chance God doesn't exist. I believe he does. And if you don't, it's no big deal.

But the fact, people, once again is that this quote OFFENDED someone, and obviously more than one person. Is that how you run a business? Should they pull the cup because it offended someone who is so dedicated to her God that she felt offended that her coffee cup said He might not exist? Who knows.

But the fact is that it's offensive. It may not be to you, but I love my God and I know he loves me too. I'm not stupid. I know people don't believe in Him, and He knows that too. Don't laugh. I'm educated and I still believe it. And yes, I'm a normal person.

It is offensive to me. My coffee cup shouldn't be offensive to me. Get that through your heads. This is a corporation. They should stay out of religion and politics.

P.S. Anybody who thinks that all Christains (or even other religions) are uptight and selfish are wrong. I like almost everybody, and I wish them all the best. Even you people who are bashing us. I recognize you have another opinion. Good luck with that.

[BOSTON STARBUCKS REBEL]

I am sure Starbucks would not have posted the Danish cartoons on the cups. Too bad because I am sure that would've gone over well in the Arab world, where women and men are segregated from each other. The reason why is because Christians don't blow themselves up in cafes.
Death to the infidels and Allah is great. And oh by the way, I want a extra whip cream and caramel sauce on my virgins' asses.

[Samplezzz]

Why doesn't she get a travel mug and paint crosses all over it! Then while she sips her coffee she can still feel she's going to heaven....or maybe she should give all the money she was spending on coffee to her church..that's what a good christian would do!!

[Bladerunner]

Remember Moral Majority=Taliban. Because MY religion is right, everyone else is wrong, and we will bully and legislate you into living our beliefs.
If you don't like the cup, make your own personal cup covered with "safe" quotes, or ask for anouther. I'm not making you leave my store because you sit there with a bible, waiting to ask people about their personal relationship with god. If a cup is too much to handle. You my have other problems.
Get the beam out of your own eye , before you point out the splinter in mine!

[STARBUCKS GEISHA BOI]

I actually put Michaelangelo's Final Judgement on a make your own mug a few years ago. Boy did I get stares from some people, like what was I thinking. Next time, I'll put something like the Martyrdom of St. Sebastian and him getting his body pierced by arrows. How is that homoeroticism?

[Cami]

Wow....this useless bickering is exactly why we're not supposed to discuss religion or politics while wearing the apron. I don't understand why a company which understands that concept would bring this kind of inflammatory verbage into our workplace. Seems like an obvious violation of policy.

[Bill Scheel]

So...I didn't anticipate that my comments and views would be met with such ire. Firstly, I am in no way attacking the christian community as much as I am showing my lack of support for the catastrophes that our modern societies are causing with such large scale attacks on others. I understand that my quote may have struck a nerve with some however, controversy leads to discussion, leads to change. The main point that I attempted to reflect upon while putting this thought out there is one that is being missed...

Try to put yourselves in the shoes of the parents who are asking their collective gods for help to protect their children that are being brought home in body bags from a war that is not fully supported.

Yes... I do not believe in a single God that rules over the people and needs to be worshipped. However, I do believe in the collective strength that lies in each member of the human race and the power that it can illicit in times of need. I am proud of anyone who takes a stand for what they believe in whether it be religious, political, or sympathy driven.

Lets not lose sight of the fact that we are thinking and feeling beings who can collectively create change and that is the power that we have to sommon within ourselves. Afterall, a belief in faith is fine but, should we not focus on the present instead of tryng to preserve our spot in heaven. Afterall, the present is what we have to live through.

I apologize for those that may have seen my thoughts as offensive, however, take that thought as an abstract not a particular. Remove who you are from the thought and think of those suffering and why. This world could be a better place if we just take care of each other...not ourselves!

[Deanne Martin]

So here we go bashing each other over a cup...A CUP...come on people. Can we please just call it like it is, Regardless of which side of the fence you fall into, the conservative Christians will always find their point of view correct and everyone else is just Hell Bound. The anti-god groups will always agree and see what the conservative does as kind of like "I knew all Christians were like that".

[Deanne Martin]

I am not trying to be harsh but all religious debates end up this way. There is no way around it.

[Kat]

I keep reading how something like this quote might be offensive to customers, thus Starbucks shouldn't put anything like this on their cups. So, just how many complaints have there been about offensive quotes on Starbucks cups anyway?

[Deanne Martin]

Probably a lot considering the back lash we have had on this one alone. Some of them are real head scratchers.

[TEM]

The part of the cup that says the quotes are not the opinions of Starbucks or it's partners. Or something to that affect.
<<< This is something you hear on a Radio show where they are live and people call in. You know where they have no control over what is said. The way I see it when you spend money ( of which has In God We Trust on it ) It makes it hard to believe it's not your opinion.....

[ndzbarista]

So here we go bashing each other over a cup...A CUP...come on people. Can we please just call it like it is, Regardless of which side of the fence you fall into, the conservative Christians will always find their point of view correct and everyone else is just Hell Bound. The anti-god groups will always agree and see what the conservative does as kind of like "I knew all Christians were like that".

Grrrrr Deanne! Exactly my point people. You're showing how ignorant and stereotypical you really are. I am a Christian, and educated, and I am open to other opinions, even if I am firm in mine. We're not all like that. I would bet that you don't know many at all and only get what you know from Southpark or the news. Stop categorizing other people and YOU be open to other ideas.

Also, try business school. This CUP is what we put our PRODUCT in. And if it OFFENDS somebody, whether you like them or not, it is bad BUSINESS. Get a life.

[TEM]

NDZBARISTA your right....This CUP is what we put our PRODUCT in. And if it OFFENDS somebody, whether you like them or not, it is bad BUSINESS.

The Cup is also there product as well, not just what’s in the cup....
For Starbucks’s product is image not just coffee.

[TEM]

Web-master...interesting you delete some arguments which are interesting but you allow this anti-Christian dunder head their rant.

And allow someone to post the woman’s name address and phone #..... And use her name as if it was there own..
You know this post >>>>

If any of you have a problem with this, find a country that supports your religion. Jesus and I are proud to be Americans.

Michelle Incanno
** why web-master
(***) ***-****

Posted by: Michelle Incanno | May 7, 2007 1:18:49 PM

[KLA]

There has not been a single quote that Starbucks hasn't gotten a complaint about. If Starbucks only put middle of the road, pleasing to everyone quotes on their cups, where would the conversation start?

"Ooh, nice quote!"
"Yes, I agree, you're so right."
"Oh thanks, let's hug now."

~The Way I See It program dies in two weeks from boredom~

It is surprising to me that out of all the potentially offensive quotes, this is the one that made news. Ironically, it's just proving that The Way I See It is more effective than Starbucks probably thought it could be. Is this going to make Sbux back down from posting religious quotes in the future? Hell no! Fuel to the fire.

Just when you thought the religious types couldn't possibly get any more idiotic...................................

So what is it like going through life in a delusion incapable of making any reasoned value judgments on your own?

[Remain Anon]

Personally, I'm VERY offended that the use of the word GOD has been co-opted by this supposedly Chritian person to mean her Christian God!!!!

SERIOUSLY! HOW RUDE IS THAT!!!!!!!

[Barista Rose]

I rarely ever post on these boards, but I'm coming out of my lurking to say something here.

A) The quote is not even attacking Christians, nor is it saying that a belief in God is wrong. I feel as if the quote's message has more to do with the fact that each and every person has the power to overcome any obstacle, and you should revel in the fact that you individually can achieve goals or cross bridges without the help of a deity that not everyone in the world even considers real. In fact, this quote reminded me of a discussion I had with someone who was taken aback when a mutual friend thanked God for getting into the school she wanted. "Why thank God? You have the talent and the intelligence to get into this school, and you put forth the hard work to get there, you shouldn't give all the credit to God." There are people out there who refuse medical help in times of sickness because they feel God will take care of them - but I'm not discounting the spirit lifting power of prayer in times of need (and they've found prayer CAN have a positive effect on healing), however, sometimes it takes a surgery or otherwise to save a life. God did not create the technology to keep a heart beating, and God did not create insurance to help you when your house burns down, and God does not sign peace treaties.

B) As a Jew who believes strongly in God, I still am very proud of Starbucks for presenting MANY opinions ("offensive" or not) on cups. "The Way I See It" should not just be one person's point of view. And in fact, if you disagree with it, good! It will spark a little cognitive dissonance in your mind and maybe strengthen your beliefs. Maybe you'll even question your own beliefs and change them... that's good, too! We don't live in a static society and we shouldn't have static thoughts. If Starbucks only represented one side of the story, that would be offensive, as well. The Atheists deserve a cup, and Wiccans deserve a cup, and the Christians deserve a cup. We're not looking to create some Aryan customer base - if only in the interest of capitalism we should either offend everyone equally or offend no one. Starbucks was created in America and part of America is the choice of what one can write on a cup they pay to produce - especially when the American population is so incredibly diverse.

No one should be so scared of someone else's opinion. If you have an intelligent, logical response (I hesitate to even say rebuttal, because it's an OPINION! It's not a truth or a lie!), write to Starbucks, and have your own "The Way I See It" printed. It's a quote - not a rock thrown at the heads of your Christian children. You have the ability to form your own thoughts, and part of that is being completely informed. See all sides of the story, and decide from there. And it's a cup. Really.

I don't think the quote on the cup is criticizing Chritianity or questioning the existence of God. If anything, I read the quote as "if you have faith, then you should appreciate it all the time and not just when it's convenient to do so."

I see John 3:16 quoted on Forever 21 shopping bags and In-N-out containers all the time. I don't find anything about that offensive in the least just because it is "religious." It's protected under the First Amendment so why should anyone care?