Dr Pepper found itself front and center in a religious controversy this week when it launched an ad referencing evolution - the evolution of flavor, that is.
The play on words and concepts prompted outcry from creationists, some of whom threatened a boycott. Predictably, those who believe in evolutionary theory then also had to weigh in.
The reaction from the majority of our readers: Get over it.
About 80 percent of the more than 20,000 readers who took our poll on the topic said they weren’t bothered by the ad.
“Extreme liberals complain about things such as a reference to ‘God’ on our coins and extreme conservatives complain about things such as a Dr Pepper ad depicting evolution. Six of one, half a dozen of the other. Most sensible people aren't too concerned about either,” one reader wrote.
Still, the story did prompt a heated and wide-ranging debate in our comments section about creationism versus evolution, freedom of speech and whether the controversy was helping or hurting Dr Pepper.
Some readers argued that the ad would have sparked a very different reaction if it had poked fun at another group or belief system.
“I agree that it is just an ad and not something to get all upset about. But at the same time, I do agree with other posters who stated that if this ad in any way offended gays or other races, then those would be justified for getting upset. But since Christians are the ones feeling upset, they are put down and made fun of. Luckily, when all is said done, Jesus will get the final word no matter what those say who put down Christians.”
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