Dangerous Grounds': Tony Perkins Blasts Starbucks' 'Radical Agenda' for Supporting WA Gay Marriage Bill

Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council (FRC) made some tough statements against Starbucks this morning. Perkins, among other Christians leaders, is speaking out against the coffee company and its support for gay marriage legislation in Washington state.

The FRC president unleashed his angst over Starbuck's decision, calling it an "attack on marriage," while lamenting what he sees as a "radical agenda."

Perkins, who held little back during the brief address, warned that Starbucks will be "on dangerous grounds" if the company chooses to "focus on politics." Here's the complete transcript (via Right Wing Watch) from his "Washington Watch" radio commentary this morning:

There's more than coffee brewing at Starbucks. There's controversy too. Hello, I'm Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council in Washington, D.C. Starbucks is stirring the pot all right, but with a liberal agenda that's got customers shaking their heads. In the fight over marriage in Washington State, the Seattle company is picking sides. Last week, the chain announced it'll join the attack on marriage and endorse homosexual unions.

Spokesman Karen Holmes said, "This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks business practices... It is core to who we are and what we value as a company." Well, it may be at the core of who Starbucks is, but it's not at the core of who America is. Voters overwhelmingly believe in man-woman marriage--and they've passed 30 straight amendments to prove it. If Starbucks thinks people like their radical agenda, I hate to spill the beans. But people can get their caffeine fix anywhere. So if Starbucks wants to focus on politics, then its profits are on dangerous grounds.

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The nation's views on homosexuality aren't necessarily concrete. In 2011, for the first time in tracking history, Gallup found that a majority of Americans now support legalizing gay marriage (53 percent versus 45 percent). But just months later, another poll found that nearly half of Americans would support a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage.

The Advocate has more regarding Starbucks' support for the state initiative:

Executives with the $10 billion company based in Seattle released a statement late Tuesday in support of a legislative effort to make Washington the seventh state plus the District of Columbia where marriage is legal for same-sex couples.

Starbucks joins other companies headquartered in the state such as Microsoft in backing the bill, which has reached critical mass of support in the house and senate. Gov. Chris Gregoire has said she will sign the bill into law.

While gay rights advocates are praising the company's stance on the matter, Perkins isn't alone in his disapproval of it. Pastor Steven Andrew of USA Christian Ministries is encouraging a boycott of Starbucks.

"Christians are upset with Starbucks for turning against God, but we are glad to know that Starbucks doesn't pretend to be for Christians," Andrew said in a press release. The faith leader is calling every Christian and church to launch a mass boycott on Starbucks.

Andrew went on to say that the boycott is important, because God offers blessings to those who obey him. On the flip side, God, Andrew says, judges those who don't. The pastor cited 2 Chronicles 19:2 in making this claim, which reads, "Jehu the seer, the son of Hanani, went out to meet him and said to the king, 'Should you help the wicked and love'" (read the full biblical context).

Brian Brown, the president of the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), also railed against the company's stance in a Jan. 30 press release.

"Americans should be able to drink a peaceful cup of coffee without worrying that a portion of the company's profits is going to be used to push gay marriage without a vote from the people," Brown said. "This is a gratuitous leap into a hot button culture war issue; respect for diversity touted by Starbucks ought to include respecting the diverse views of all its customers and employees."

Despite the rhetoric against the support for the same-sex marriage law, Starbucks doesn't appear to be backing down.