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Home » Forum » Various » Religion and LBGT » Gloria Jeans Coffee Supports Gay Conversion Program

Gloria Jeans Coffee Supports Gay Conversion Program

I just want to bring this to everybody's attention. Gloria Jeans is an international coffee chain akin to Starbucks. They are partnered closely with Mercy Ministries, a Christian-based (admittedly) anti-choice organization that also "treats" girls who struggle with eating disorders, self-harm, depression, etc. Gloria Jeans claims they are not closely linked and only count MM among many of a number of local charities that they support. However, the Fall Issue of the Mercy Ministires USA magazine (pp.4-5) contains an article about how closely the two are connected.

Here are some links about it:

Gloria Jean's Coffees Under Fire 

Ad Banned: The Price of Homophobia

Ex-gay Group Targets Aussie Lesbians

They Prayed to Cast Satan From My Body

As a former US resident I can attest that all the allegations are true, and that they count homosexuality as an illness brought on by "demonic oppression" and must be "cast out". (No, I am not making this stuff up. I wish I were.)

Most of MM's other corporate sponsors have pulled away from them, but through all of this Gloria Jeans maintains it's plans to financially support Mercy Ministries. Please don't give Gloria Jeans your business!

From the latest edition of MM online magazine:

"In addition to the fundraising weekends and money boxes on each Gloria Jean's Coffee counter, each company employee is educated on the work and vision of Mercy Ministries."

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Submitted by
jnsferris (138 posts)
on April 4, 2008 - 5:01pm.
TAGS :: 

shygurl99's picture

Thanks for the info

Submitted by
shygurl99 (213 posts)
on April 4, 2008 - 7:32pm.

How depressing. I'll make sure to avoid them

"I believe all Americans who believe in freedom, tolerance and human rights have a responsibility to oppose bigotry and prejudice based on sexual orientation. "-Coretta Scott King

Keeva99's picture

Interesting

Submitted by
Keeva99 (254 posts)
on April 4, 2008 - 10:07pm.

I read this in Thurs SSO...GJ seem to be denying it (the homophobia, not the partnership), but their employees being educated on the "work and vision" of MM is weird. Might pop up the road and just ask an employee...lol

I don't know why we would be surprised by MM tactics though...isn't that the way "the church" gets it's followers, preys on them when they're weak of mind and spirit and brainwashes...

There's alway something truly hideous about evil disguising itself in goodness.

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sundancer's picture

Gloria Jeans

Submitted by
sundancer (425 posts)
on April 4, 2008 - 10:15pm.
That's been on the Australian TV as well to warn people about the Mercy Ministries who call themselves "Christian". Hopefully Gloria Jeans will look more carefully into the work of the charities/organisations they support!
jnsferris's picture

Unfortunately, I think they

Submitted by
jnsferris (138 posts)
on April 6, 2008 - 3:10pm.
Unfortunately, I think they are full aware of what's going on there and still choose to contribute. Peter Irvine, the co-founder of GJ, even sells his self-help business book on their website--which is completely out of place there. Both GJ's and MM are also closely connected to Hillsong Church in Australia. (Which is having its own share of scandal at the moment when it comes to their use of government funds and fundraising practices.) Hillsong also knows what is going on at the homes as well, and should be held accountable. Of course, Hillsong is also anti-gay and believe in gay conversion. They have a lot of products that sell internationally, so that is something to watch out for as well.
jgrace1's picture

woah!

Submitted by
jgrace1 (33 posts)
on August 17, 2008 - 9:46pm.
Could you point me in the direction of more info on Hillsong jnsferris? I'd be interested in hearing more about what those guys are up to. I get nervous when I hear how large that church is growing!
Dolores Hot Tamales's picture

Gloria Jeans

Submitted by
Dolores Hot Tamales (923 posts)
on August 17, 2008 - 9:20pm.

meh. It's a good thing I don't like coffee.  

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jgrace1's picture

Blah. And I liked GJ's

Submitted by
jgrace1 (33 posts)
on August 17, 2008 - 9:47pm.
Blah. And I liked GJ's coffee too. :(

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