Breaking News Alert: Woman offended by Godless coffee cup
WND reports,
An Ohio woman is steaming after reading an anti-God message published on the side of a Starbucks coffee cup.
The message that got Michelle Incanno’s blood boiling reads:
“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.”
The quote was written by Bill Schell, a Starbucks customer from London, Ontario, Canada, and was included as part of an effort by the Seattle-based coffee giant to collect different viewpoints and spur discussion.
“As someone who loves God, I was so offended by that,” Michelle Incanno, a married mother of three who is Catholic, told the Dayton Daily News. “I don’t think there needs to be religious dialogue on it. I just want coffee.”
ughhhhhhhhhhhhh.
—Amit · May 7th, 2007 at 5:19 am
I think she’s whacked…but she has has a “right” to be offended. She also though has a right to buy coffee somwhere else, or else be able to ask for a different cup.
Hypothetically though, how would some people here react if there was a statement that they construed as offensive toward Jews?
—Jason · May 7th, 2007 at 5:39 am
I do hav to admit that I did chuckle at the fact that she is “steaming”…
—Jason · May 7th, 2007 at 5:42 am
jason–if the cup said, “catholics are x” or “the pope is x,” then you might have a point. but a critical examination of god should never be construed as offensive. jewish tradition outright demands it.
—Mobius · May 7th, 2007 at 6:57 am
[...] to Jew School for this story, but they linked to WND for the background which is, generally, about as trustworthy [...]
—Sarx » Anti-God Coffee · May 7th, 2007 at 6:59 am
Seems to me Starbucks got what they wanted when Michelle got so upset–it spurred discussion.
—Karen Abbott · May 7th, 2007 at 8:22 am
starbucks coffee is way too expensive. i can make a better cup of coffee at home for a fraction of the price.
—shmuel · May 7th, 2007 at 9:48 am
I’m not even talking about soemthing against Jews as people, but I mean more against Judaism. What if there was a cup that said (in a more tasteful way than I am saying now), “Megillat Esther is andapted secular folk tale that eventually found it’s way into the Biblical Canon.” (Or, what if there are cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed on a cup?)
Now, that may be true, it may not be, whatever…but don’t you think a lot of Jews would be pissed at Starbucks if it did that?
My question I guess is is there a line to be drawn in the balance between logical and open debate, and on the other hand offensive provoking (not thought-provoking, but provoking) statement.
—Jason · May 7th, 2007 at 10:12 am
the statement is potentially offensive to people who believe in god. that means something like 98% of humanity; jewish, muslim, christian, buddhist, etc.
really–if a simple statement critical of faith is enough to offend you, then your faith stands on weak legs and deserves to be challenged.
that said, attacking the concept of god is not the same as attacking a specific religious group for their particular beliefs.
—Mobius · May 7th, 2007 at 10:28 am
She’s catholic. She doesn’t believe in God, she believes in guilt, as Jews you should be able to relate.
Catholics believe God is an old, bearded cop in the clouds with a billyclub. Ever been to a mass? The similarities between mass and temple are frighteningly similar.
Starbucks achieved their prime directive with this ‘marketing campaign’. This statement is all provocation.
—Joey · May 7th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Good thing she didn’t get this one:
My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don’t make that mistake yourself. Life’s too damn short.
- Armistead Maupin, author
She could always turn the other cheek, or at least bring her own cup.
—judi · May 7th, 2007 at 6:42 pm
Bill is right - but that courage that we find within ourselves is GOD!!!
—MaxKohanzad · May 8th, 2007 at 10:28 am
It interests me that the people most easily offended by anything they perceive to be “anti-god” are the ones who profess to be the staunchest believers. If they believe with such fervency, shouldn’t their belief be strong enough to withstand questioning?
—Marisa · May 8th, 2007 at 11:36 am