Critics: Starbucks Declares War on Christmas

By DEB BELT (Patch Staff)

Christmas isn’t going to be the same religious holiday this year, say some Christians, who cast the blame on Starbucks.

The ubiquitous coffee chain has a Christmas coffee roast blend, along with a Christmas ornament and even a Christmas K cup for Keurig users.

So what’s the problem?

This season’s holiday cups are a toned down red, with the Starbucks logo on them. Past iterations have thrown in snowflakes or ornaments. The minimalist design for Christmas 2015 was meant to embrace “the simplicity and the quietness” of the holiday season, said Jeffrey Fields, Starbucks’ vice president of design.

That doesn’t appease the critics, which first melted down in London.

British Parliament member David Burrowes told Breitbart London the cup motif smacks of political correctness.

“The public has a common sense grasp on the reality that at Christmas time, whether you have a Christian faith or not, Britain celebrates Christmas.”

A Breitbart writer says the chain has steadily moved away from stars symbolizing the Nativity to snowmen and now no adornment. The website says the coffee chain has declared war on Christmas.

“Frankly, the only thing that can redeem them from this whitewashing of Christmas is to print Bible verses on their cups next year,” writes Raheem Kassam.

Taking issue with the war on Christmas rants is Huffington Post blogger the Rev. Emily C. Heath, a United Church of Christ pastor.

Of the sans-overt symbol cups Heath says: “No mention of Christmas or Jesus at all. And, clearly that means that Christians are being persecuted. I mean, my faith is just destroyed if I don’t get my Venti Blonde Roast with room for milk in a cup that features the name of my Lord and Savior.”

Peace on Earth anyone?

»Starbucks holiday 2015 mug, from company website