Ice cream has now become a new battleground between freedom of speech and claims of religious discrimination.
Sweet Jesus Ice Cream is a Canadian-based chain of ice cream stores that focus on overtop concoctions of soft serve and mix-ins. But it’s not the recipes that are drawing anger, it is the name and symbols of the company.
Christians Furious Over Sweet Jesus Ice Cream[/tweetthis]
The chain uses an upside down cross on their cones and the name “Sweet Jesus” is adding to claims of blasphemy. The company also uses some biblical references for their combinations like “Hella Nutella” and “Red Rapture.”
Christians in Canada are boycotting this ice cream company b/c of its name "Sweet Jesus". I admit that I have a puritanical side which is why I wouldn't buy the ice cream, however I wouldn't stop someone else from making the decision to buy the ice cream based on my beliefs. $.02 pic.twitter.com/g0hqAlvX1y
— Stephanie (@stephanietega) March 26, 2018
There are currently several online petitions to force the company to change the name. But the company states the name is not a religious statement but a colloquial expression for deliciousness. The company makes no claim about any religion.
Meanwhile, a Russian ice cream company has attracted the wrath of the Jewish community after launching a new ice cream cone flavor called “Poor Jews.” The company’s latest ice cream cone uses an Israeli flag on its wrapper, drawing negative publicity for the demeaning product line.