Yesterday morning a friend of mine started a thread on Facebook, proclaiming a decision to boycott Starbucks. She, like many others, wanted to register her disagreement with their policy decision to fully endorse the same-sex marriage legislation in Washington State.
I love my friend, and her passion for the protection of marriage. I appreciate the rigor of other friends who also committed to said boycott. I don't expect society to reject same-sex relationships, but if given the opportunity to vote or speak to the subject, I will without exception declare that the best and only right option for society is marriage as it has been practiced for all of human history: a publicly witnessed bond unifying one man and one woman for life.
But here's the problem: if I were to join such a boycott, I would need to also not use Apple or Microsoft products, nor eat McDonald's, or visit Disneyland, or watch movies out of most big-name studios, nor support many other restaurants and companies, all of whom support gay rights. I might have to grow my own food, generate my own electricity, make my own shoes, and walk to work.
I love the people who make and serve my coffee, regardless of their lifestyle. I'm thankful for the way they bless me with a great cup of joe. Do I support Starbuck's policy decision? Of course not. But I do not expect a secular business to do anything other than follow and support society's current norms.
I realize that friends on both sides of the issue will be upset with me, because I'm neither willing to endorse a same-sex lifestyle nor reject a person or institution that does. Call me a hater, or a liberal, or whatever epithet you prefer. I'm okay with that. Because I was lost, and I’ve been found, by the amazing grace of God in Christ Jesus.
In the Bible, 1 Corinthians 6:9-11 says, “Some of you were once like that (indulging in sexual sin, idol-worshipers, adulterers, male prostitutes, practicing homosexuality, thieves, greedy, drunks, abusive, cheaters). But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God”.
I’m pretty sure I fit somewhere in that list, which is why I don’t trust myself anymore. I trust Jesus.
So, no offense meant to my dear friend, but you can make mine a tall drip, bold, no room.
Would you be so tolerant if they didn't make such a good cup of coffee?
ReplyDeleteLol, idk. I don't buy my coffee at 7-11, but not because I'm boycotting. If sbux had bad coffee there would be no issue.
ReplyDeleteWell written Brian...thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jeff. Hope you are well.
Delete"I don't expect society to reject same-sex relationships"
ReplyDelete"But I do not expect a secular business to do anything other than follow and support society's current norms."
Our expectations have nothing to do with our obligation to declare and live the Truth.
Society including corporations are nothing more than people and I do hope that people come to the knowledge of the Truth about how they were created and how their own desires are distorted by sin.
Since when is business "secular". We were created by God to work. Business is a sacred task and how we do that business and where we spend our profits is important - whether we are a Christian or not! Our faith or non-faith position does not change Truth - the reality of who all humans are in God's image!! I expect all businesses to act according to and support God's moral and ethical codes whether they believe in God or not! To not do so leads to corruption and death!! If you love Starbucks and appreciate their coffee, call their leadership to act righteously. To not do so is the equivalent of telling them and those they endorse to go to hell all while we suck on their nipple.
"But here's the problem: if I were to join such a boycott, I would need to also not use Apple or Microsoft products, nor eat McDonald's, . . . ."
Welcome to the world of Christian frogs in a heating pot. You can choose to enjoy it all like a sauna or work at lowering and turning the heat off. You can't jump out of the pot because you are in the world. If putting out fires means stamping out one flame at a time - so be it -we only have two feet - but stamp out the flames we must - one at a time until the end of life because we care about the tragic decisions people are making to ruin any change of enjoy the Eternal life God has promised!
"but if given the opportunity to vote or speak to the subject,"
Here is your opportunity!! Declare it without shame from the mountaintops!! You are declaring Truth, directing people to Life - to living and enjoying life as God intended! Your cup of coffee is your vote which clearly contradicts the wonderful words that follow!
"I will without exception declare that the best and only right option for society is marriage as it has been practiced for all of human history: a publicly witnessed bond unifying one man and one woman for life."
Yes Amen!!
"I realize that friends on both sides of the issue will be upset with me, because I'm neither willing to endorse a same-sex lifestyle nor reject a person or institution that does."
Yes, nice to be concerned about your friends opinions but your ultimate allegiance is to the Master Designer!
Hi Alden,
DeleteThank you very much for reading and responding so thoughtfully. I love it, and you've got me thinking.
I would agree with your point about contacting Starbucks corporate office to register my disagreement/disapproval of their statement.
I also like the frog in the pot analogy, and I agree that we have all seen the water warm up considerably, as we all comfortably bask in the hottub.
My debate with you would be around your comment that "I expect all businesses to act according to and support God's moral and ethical codes whether they believe in God or not!"
I don't have that expectation. Morality cannot be legislated, and the un-redeemed heart is not motivated to righteousness.
Still, you do have me thinking. If, for example, I knew that Starbucks was supporting poisoning children (a practice NOT accepted by society, yet still sinful) my outrage would cause me to withhold my shopping dollars. So why not this?
I need to think about that.
For now, I know that I want to be known for whom I stand, not for what I stand against. I want to be pro-Jesus, not simply anti-(sin/issue).
So, a boycott may well be in order, in spite of our hypocrisy of standing against one company while ignoring all the others (see for example http://www.macobserver.com/tmo/article/Apple_Donates_100000_To_Support_Same-sex_Marriage/). But what would be a Christ-like way to do that?
I think a simple, loving response to Howard Schultz, expressing conviction that you and others will not be spending money at Starbucks any longer, would be important. I'm not sure a public protest advances the cause of the Kingdom of God. I don't see how it does, because, in that situation, we are demanding outward change without internal renewal.
Last summer, Howard Schultz (CEO of Starbucks) had accepted an invitation to speak at the Willow Creek Association's (WCA) Leadership Summit, to address leadership topics in an interview with Bill Hybels. A few anti-Christian protesters voiced their opposition to Starbucks, circulated a petition, and threatened a boycott, and Schultz opted out. (I believe he demonstrated cowardice in that move.) Hybels announced to the 50,000+ conference attendees that Schultz would not be appearing, and that the WCA would not hold Schultz to his contract, which includes a no-show penalty. Hybels wisely urged the crowd to act in a loving, Christ-like manner, to not write hateful emails and to continue to support the stores as usual. It's sad but realistic that Hybels actually had to tell his audience to be nice.
I would say the same principle is true now. If our conviction says, "Don't support them", then don't. But we need to do so kindly. Those are real people behind the counter at Starbucks, many of them are believers. And real people at head office too, who, outside of a redeeming relationship with Jesus, are making ungodly and immoral decisions. It's all they know.
The Christian community is at a severe disadvantage. If every believer said, "No more Starbucks for me", the bottom line would suffer, maybe even enough for them to change their minds. But the media would so crucify Christians as homophobes and haters, I would lose any chance of having a meaningful, life-giving, relationship with same-sex friends.
Finally, I am willing to admit that I may be overly defensive of Starbucks, simply because, as my brother said, they have good coffee.
Alden, having said all of the above, I can say I really miss drinking your lovely sweet tea with milk!!!
Thanks for engaging me on this topic.
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ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. However, I have deleted it because I prefer not to have anonymous comments. I will be glad to re-post it if you can leave your name or at least screen name. Brian.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment. However, I have deleted it because I prefer not to have anonymous comments. I will be glad to re-post it if you can leave your name or at least screen name. Brian.
DeleteI think the "spiral of silence" refers to the Christians who secretly support gay rights because they can't openly support what you call "moral pollution" in the face of moral bullying.
ReplyDeleteMy comment from Feb 1 only makes sense in response to a previous reader whose post is no longer up. Quoting some published research into human behaviour, the responder suggested that church people tolerate society's slide into "sin" with tacit approval, saying that they would speak up if they felt they were in a majority. I'm suggesting the opposite. This is a debate worthy of the thoughtful and provocative posts seen here so far. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks Orlando, and sorry for deleting the other post.
DeleteIn short, I find that most people are mum on things they believe to be wrong, fearing their own closet skeletons will come tumbling out.
Unfortunately, the voices of those who decry the moral condition of society tend to be brash and without compassion, while those who would seek a biblically firm but loving response tend to be silenced as "liberals". It seems impossible to find the "win".
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ReplyDeleteBrian, I think the only win is the response that makes the world a better place to be for everyone. I think the real crux of this debate, going back to your original essay, is whether or not your favourite coffee company is making a responsible decision by backing something like same-sex marriage or whether companies and corps should be in the morality business at all. There's a book on the market called Firms of Endearment: How World Class Companies Profit From Passion and Purpose written buy a number of authors, all elite business types. They make the case with strong evidence that companies that have sound, forward-thinking employee policy and a strong stance on social and environmental issues tend to be rewarded for their responsible actions. Ethical people practices are good business practices and it makes sense to show that a company can care. That sounds pretty altruistic and utopian, but if it's true, it means that the good companies are winning. When I think about the global market place, I'm a little more pessimistic, though.
ReplyDeleteAnd don't worry, I don't think you're in any danger of being accused of being too liberal.