The Gospel According To Starbucks™ Coffee Shop

The other morning after exiting Starbuck’s™ coffee shop, I was greeted by the traditional “Way I See It” commentary written on the side of my Grande size paper coffee cup. The “Way I See It” comments have been an ongoing thing for Starbuck’s for a few years now, which entail comments, points of view, or quotes by all kinds of different people around the world. Typically the commenter’s who are quoted on the cup have a pretty secular and liberal world view. The comments are rarely interesting to me nor carry any profound meaning or thought (at least the ones I have read). But, this one really grabbed my attention. As I rolled the cup over to get my daily fill of liberalism, I was greeted by this:

“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 imagination 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.” --Bill Scheel, Starbucks™ customer from London, Ontario. (He describes himself as a modern day nobody.)

A few things I want to address regarding Bills world view. First off I would like to know why Bill considers himself a nobody while at the same time considering humans to be great enough to conquer some of life’s toughest problems. If Bill considers what he wrote to be true, then why would he consider himself a "nobody"? It appears that he thinks man kind is great enough to overcome life’s catastrophes. But, at the same time excludes himself from this great world of ours because he is no more than a “modern day nobody.”

In addition I find it interesting that Bill thinks we as human beings should call upon ourselves in moments in crisis. This reminds me of the author and self-help motivational speaker, Dr. Wayne Dyer, who’s philosophy teaches that if one is lost to seek for himself and find himself. Correct me if I am wrong here, but if you are the one lost and confused why would you ask the one who is lost and confused for direction? Seems illogical. I imagine people like Bill who think God is nothing more than a possible myth is the same type of person who is joined in arms on “National Prayer Day.” Or supporting those lost in the 911 tragedy encouraging those who have lost family and friends with comforting phrases like, “Our prayers are with you and your loved ones.”

Lastly, I would like to end on what my response to “The Way I see It #247.”

“I find it interesting that people in our world today only call on God in times of catastrophes rather than everyday.”

Although Starbucks™ does not officially represent these sayings and slogans on their cups, they definitely are partial to their views. If you don’t believe me, send Starbucks™ a “Way you see it” containing a Bible verse like, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” –John 14:6