Sam Jones | Echo
Perhaps the most exciting recent development on Taylor's campus has been the construction of the new Tree of Life bookstore adjacent to the current post office. This new building hopes to include a new bookstore, a new campus store, and a Starbucks Express.
The Life Together Covenant and TU handbook clearly state that the university and all parties associated are to follow a set of rules and beliefs outlined within.
"Scripture affirms the sacredness of human life, which is created in the image of God," states the Life Together Covenant. "Genesis 1:27 NIV states: So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Therefore, human life must be respected and protected from its inception to its completion."
Recently, a petition has been started regarding the implementation of a Starbucks onto Taylor's campus.
"The values of Taylor and Starbucks are in deep conflict," states the petition. "Taylor's moral-theological commitments include a firmly pro-life stance that all human life is sacred and 'must be respected and protected from its inception.'"
Starbucks is well known for donating to the organization Planned Parenthood, a non-profit company notorious for being strongly pro-choice and allegedly for experimenting on fetus tissue. These beliefs held by Planned Parenthood are in stark contrast to the beliefs of Taylor University.
But looking deeper into the message of this petition, further questions may arise. Should Taylor partner with any companies or organizations that are in conflict with the Life Together Covenant?
According to The Daily Signal, there are 38 companies that partner and donate to Planned Parenthood. Starbucks is, of course, one of those companies. But, additional companies include Nike, Microsoft and PepsiCo.
A large portion of Taylor's athletic gear and spirit wear is made by Nike, and can be seen sporting the popular Nike "swoosh." Taylor uses PepsiCo almost exclusively in both the dining hall and student center. Taylor also gives all students free access to the Microsoft Suite software for personal and educational use.
Additionally, Starbucks drinks are already available for purchase in the student center and Euler lower lobby.
If individuals in the Taylor community strongly oppose introducing a Starbucks for inconsistencies with university beliefs, then should those same individuals also be opposed to Taylor partnering with companies such as PepsiCo, Microsoft and Nike?
Jim Spiegel, professor of philosophy and religion at Taylor, was the original author of this petition. Spiegel has been willing to discuss his personal convictions on the matter, and invites anyone to approach him regarding this subject.
"One can't use all of their time opposing everything, so you have to select the most important issues," Spiegel said. "The inability to do everything is no excuse to do nothing."
One must consider the value of consistency in their system of belief. One cannot oppose Starbucks partnering with Taylor while also supporting the university partnerships with Nike, Microsoft, and PepsiCo. To do so reflects actions of hypocrisy and inconsistency that are fervently opposed in the Biblical teachings.
I personally am a strong advocate for Taylor's Life Together Covenant, and I am sure many people reading this piece feel similarly. But it is unrealistic for an institution, such as Taylor, to operate in the world today without partnering with companies that may have a different set of beliefs.
Traditional values are important. But there simply may be areas of university development when traditional values altogether hinder the advancement of that institution.
