Christians Urged to Boycott Starbucks.... sigh....

This week I came across this headline ‘Activist Urges Faithful to Boycott Starbucks.’ 

Recently Conservative Activist David Barton spoke at the tragically named, ‘Whitesburg Baptist Church’ in Huntsville, Alabama.  Speaking about the topic of Gay Marriage, Barton said this, "The question is, 'Can a Christian give money to a group he knows will use it to attack what God supports?  If you know that when you buy a cup of Starbucks, 5, 10, 15 cents is going to be used to defeat marriage, can you do that? The answer is 'no.'  You can’t drink Starbucks and be biblically right.’ ”

I think it is time to boycott boycotts, and here’s why:

• Boycotts rarely achieve their stated goals.
• Boycotts are almost always self-serving.  Even failed boycotts are viewed as successful- because they add credibility and status to the leader of the boycott.
• Boycotts tempt Christians into using economic and commercial methods to accomplish spiritual goals.
• Boycotts paint Christians as reactionary, fear-based, and short-sighted.

Followers of God have long battled the Siren’s call of using earthly power to accomplish spiritual goals.  Consistently the Scriptures show God urging His people to reject earthly power and human alliances and instead trust fully in Him.  Maybe instead of protesting, Christians should try modeling Christ to a world in desperate need of authentic Christ followers.  By rejecting the power-over model used effectively by groups and alliances -Christians should embrace path of downward-mobility modeled by Christ.

Maybe instead of boycotting Starbucks, we should pick up the tab of the person behind us in line...

Maybe it is time to boycott, boycotts...

Christians Should Drink Starbucks not Boycott Them...

With a blog called Coffee Shop Pastor, what else did you expect?

Over the past 30 years or so Christians have boycotted DisneyWorld, Pepsi, Proctor and Gamble, Ford and Levi Strauss Co.  When a Pastor or Christian organization calls for a boycott, people rally, emails fly, posters are painted and local pastors are urged to stand with those calling for the boycott.

As a local evangelical pastor, I've long felt that boycotts tend to serve those who are advocating for them, rather than the greater cause that they are ostensibly against!  Boycotts 'rally the troops', boycotts bring in more donations, and in my opinion, boycotts ultimately end up only increasing the profile of the person or group who initiated this action!

But what of the morality of the boycott?  Should Christians use their economic power to affect change?  What are the unintended consequences of these actions?  Russell Moore, Dean of the School of Theology at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary makes a strong case that Christians should not only avoid boycotting, but that the actual use of them undercuts the Christian witness and message.

Maybe instead of refusing to patronize Starbucks, Christians should do more business, have studies, get their small groups to meet at their local coffee shops!  Let Starbucks see Christians and experience the salt and light of the Gospel!

Read Dr. Moore's thoughts here and send in your thoughts and comments...