Starbucks cups spark controversy

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Eileen Wisniowicz, Staff Writer

Culture wars have taken place for generations in the forms of many different things. From pop culture issues such as abortion and feminism, to more trivial issues such as long hair and music, no one can deny culture wars are a strong part of our society.

The latest culture war takes form in a disposable paper cup used to hold the early morning coffee that our society has grown to love. These are the red Starbucks Christmas cups. But, to many people these are simply not just cups, they are a stab at Christianity.

This controversy started with Joshua Feuerstein, who is known for conveying his firm and adamant Christian beliefs through his various social media accounts. Feuerstein has made many videos, most of which cover religious issues. Some of these other videos feature his viewpoints on issues such as atheism, same-sex marriage, and other businesses like Starbucks.

In his minute and a half rant about Starbucks’ red cups he mentions that “Starbucks wanted to take Christ and Christmas off of their brand new cups” and “that Starbucks isn’t allowed to say Merry Christmas to their customers.”

 

In response to this, Feuerstein bought a coffee telling the barista his name was Merry Christmas, “tricking,” as he likes to put it, Starbucks workers into writing Merry Christmas on his cup. He goes on talking about how he also brought a concealed firearm into the coffee shop just to offend Starbucks since they “hate the second amendment.”

After this video was posted, its views quickly grew, and everybody had his or her own opinion.

 

Nazareth student Mike Viscariello ’18 had his own opinion as well. “I think that the Starbucks generic red cups is nothing more than a publicity stunt. Starbucks is a world-wide corporation that just knows how to play their cards right. Having designs on their cups might not have ever been a big deal, but you never know what you had until it’s gone. And then… The publicity comes in and the money follows. Starbucks has people talking about a boring red cup,” he stated.

Most people agree with Viscariello on this controversy, saying it is really not that big of a deal. This includes the religion department head of Nazareth, Mrs. Martin.

 

“I think this is a made up controversy,” she stated.
“I do not expect that businesses should be promoting controversy over Christmas.  Snowflakes are not Christmas. I do have a feeling that “political correctness” has become a way to erase our culture.  There are plenty of bad aspects I would love for us to erase, I just am not sure that God needs to be one of them.”

So what do you think? Is this a serious issue that needs to be resolved? Or is this just another attention seeking controversy that should and will fade out within a few weeks?