Life

Red Starbucks' cups 'deny the hope of Jesus Christ'

The cup's "two-toned ombré design" are designed to embrace the "simplicity and quietness" of Christmas 
The cup's "two-toned ombré design" are designed to embrace the "simplicity and quietness" of Christmas  The cup's "two-toned ombré design" are designed to embrace the "simplicity and quietness" of Christmas 

STARBUCKS have unveiled special cups for Christmas, enraging some Christians.

The coffee chain has broken with its 17-year tradition of depicting Christmas images on its cups, like snowflakes and reindeer, in favour of a plain red design.

Some Christians have described the move away from traditional images as "political correctness gone mad" and feel that the new design "denies the hope of Jesus Christ and His story".

On their website Starbucks described this year's "iconic" cups as featuring a "two-toned ombré design, with a bright poppy color on top that shades into a darker cranberry below".

“We have anchored the design with the classic Starbucks holiday red that is bright and exciting,” Starbucks vice president of Design and Content Jeffrey Fields said.

“The ombré creates a distinctive dimension, fluidity and weightedness.

“This year we wanted to usher in the holidays with a purity of design that welcomes all of our stories,” he said.

“Starbucks has become a place of sanctuary during the holidays,” Mr Fields added. “We’re embracing the simplicity and the quietness of it."

However, not everyone was taken with the festive spirit at Starbucks.

Speaking to Breitbart London,  Conservative MP Sir David Amess, described the use of plain red cups as "political correctness gone mad" and called for the person who designed them to be sacked. 

"What is Christmas about?” Sir Amess said, “It’s Christ-Mass.”

“This is utter madness. Who was the idiot who thought this up? He should be sacked!”

Fellow Tory MP David Burrowes also criticised Starbucks, saying that the "cup change smells more of political correctness than a consumer-led change".

The Christian Insititute's Simon Calvert branded the company "scrooges".

“What is it about Christmas that Starbucks are afraid of celebrating?" he asked. 

"Haven’t they heard it’s the most wonderful time of the year, and the season of good will to all men?"

Andrea Williams of Christian Concern was also concerned by the cup design. 

“This is a denial of historical reality and the great Christian heritage behind the American dream that has so benefitted Starbucks," she said.

“This also denies the hope of Jesus Christ and His story told so powerfully at this time of year.”

Perhaps the harshest critic is former US pastor Joshua Feuerstein, who made a Facebook video about the issue.

In the video he plays a prank on the coffee company forcing it to display a festive message on the plain cup by claiming his name is 'Merry Christmas.' He also makes a point of wearing a 'Jesus t-shirt' in the store and bringing along his gun. 

Starbucks REMOVED CHRISTMAS from their cups because they hate Jesus ... SO I PRANKED THEM ... and they HATE IT!!!! #shareUse #MERRYCHRISTMASSTARBUCKSFollow --> Joshua Feuerstein Posted by Joshua Feuerstein on Thursday, November 5, 2015