Starbucks cup-gate: A media manufactured Christian controversy
The leaves have finished flashing their best hues and there is a nip in the air. Which can only mean one thing: It’s time for another viral “War on Christmas” story. This year, it isn’t the city of Boston’s “holiday tree” or Macy’s greeters refusing to say “Merry Christmas” that has inspired outcry; it’s Starbuck’s seasonal coffee cup. “Starbucks REMOVED CHRISTMAS from their cups because they hate Jesus,” Joshua Feuerstein, declared on his Facebook page on Thursday. The post was shared nearly half a million times and incited many commenters to call for a holiday embargo of the coffee chain. Because nothing says “Merry Christmas” like a boycott.
But contrary to a few breathless media reports, most Christians don’t actually care what kind of cup their latte is served in, so long as it is hot and comes with a creamy layer of froth on top.