Why I'm Not Boycotting Starbucks

And believe it or not, it has nothing to do with the fact that I love the taste of their coffee.

There are three things that are bothering me about this latest hate-on-Starbucks campaign. Here they are.

First, I don’t see what boycotting Starbucks is accomplishing. Yes, they’re pretty pro-gay marriage. I’m not. And if you’re a boycotter, I’m guessing you’re not either.  Let me make sure you understand where I’m coming from to start with.  I believe in marriage as I believe God defined it in the beginning. One man and one woman. I support that with my whole heart and will support that in public forums as it seems appropriate to do so. BUT if you’re a boycotting Christian, is this stance really the one you want a lost world to notice you making? Because the message they’re receiving is not that you care about your convictions. The message they see is that this issue is so above-all-else-important to you that you hate those who disagree with you. You want their businesses to suffer for the fact that they disagree.

And while I don’t think it’s what you mean, people who agree with Starbucks’ stance may think you hate them to. And that you think God hates them.

You don’t. At least, I hope not. He certainly doesn’t. So why would you risk sending that message?

Second, what is refusing to drink their coffee accomplishing? You’re trying to lessen their profits, right? It’s a “we’ll show them!” mentality. How is that appropriate as a Christian?

If you genuinely have a conviction against giving them your money when they support causes you disagree with, that’s fine. But please, be consistent and boycott Every. Single. Company. whose values are not in line with yours. Research them all. If you want to do that, by all means. That’s truly your choice and if that’s what you need to do, feel free. But don’t tell me it’s not okay to drink Starbucks and then turn around and support another company who’s less public in the causes they support that you disagree with, but that supports them nonetheless.

Third, as far as I can tell, the not-so-cutesy little photos going around facebook telling you to stop going to Starbucks are nothing more than gossip. Did you research that photo before you shared it? Or did you just think about the 85 likes you were going to get from fellow Starbucks-hating friends and not bother to fact check? According to my research, the CEO of Starbucks said something in the context of a meeting that made perfect sense. Someone pointed out that revenue dropped when they supported gay marriage. The CEO said if you don’t like it, feel free to invest somewhere else.

End of story. Anti-climactic, right? Nowhere did he say that if you’re anti-gay marriage, he doesn’t want your business. Isn’t that what the picture you’re sharing says? Turns out maybe that picture is a bit of self-righteous “telephone-telephone” gone wrong.

Think before you jump on the next bandwagon. That’s all I’m asking. Think, and pray.