(Image Source: Wikimedia)

BY STEVEN HSIEH

You're watching multisource business video news analysis from Newsy. 

Starbucks’ CEO Howard Schultz cancelled an appearance at Willow Creek Community Church amid a brewing protest over the congregation’s alleged anti-gay views.  More than 700 supporters signed a petition on Change.org -- calling for the Starbucks Chairman to ditch his speech at the Chicago-based mega-church’s leadership summit.

The petition reads… “For decades the church was a member of Exodus International, the organization that seeks to cure homosexuality through dangerous conversion therapy … Starbucks should immediately denounce the views of this church, before the CEO speaks at their ‘leadership’ summit.”

Willow Creek Head Pastor -- Reverend Bill Hybels delivered the response.  He says Willow Creek accepts people of all sexual orientations into its congregation, but ultimately stands by the Bible’s word on the issue.

“Willow is not only not anti-gay.  Willow is not anti-anybody… What is true is that we challenge homosexuals and heterosexuals to live out the sexual ethics taught in the scriptures, which encourages full sexual expression between a man and a woman in the context of marriage, and prescribes sexual abstinence and purity for everybody else … Buy a Starbucks in the next couple of days and just show some Christian goodwill.” (Christianity Today)

Starbucks has not officially stated its reason for pulling Schultz.  A blogger for Philadelphia Magazine speculates -- pointing out the company is already in hot water with the gay community.

“Perhaps Starbucks is minding its Ps and especially it’s Qs after a few other incidences have landed the company in hot water with gay rights activists? … there was a dust up in New York earlier this summer after a gay employee was fired for ‘discussing his personal life.’”

A writer for Mogulite agrees -- pointing out the cancellation comes even after Willow Creek distanced itself from “pray the gay away” groups.

“...it makes sense that Schultz would want to send a positive message about his stance on gay rights. And boy did he ever. … What’s interesting is that the Willow Creek church apparently cut ties to the ‘gay therapy’ group Exodus in 2009 -- but apparently Schultz isn’t taking any chances on encountering another PR disaster.”

The Associated Press reports -- former speakers at Willow Creek include Bill Clinton, GE Chairman Jack Welch and Bono.
 

'Like Newsy' on Facebook for more business news in your feed.

Transcript by Newsy.