Christians are calling for a boycott of the Sweet Jesus ice cream chain, saying it uses mocking and satanic images in its marketing that should be considered hate speech against Christians.
The soft-serve chain was founded in 2015 and has 20 locations around the Toronto area. The chain is expanding into the U.S. and plans to open 20 to 25 more franchise locations this year, CBC reported.
Nearly 10,000 people have signed a petition on CitizenGo.org against the chain.
“This is anything but a mere mistake,” the petition read. “Both in their promotional materials and menu selection, it is plain to see that [owners] Richmond and Todai have every intention of mocking Christ and Christianity. If anything could qualify as hate speech, this is it.”
A statement to CBC News by chain owner Andrew Richmond said they weren’t considering a name change. “We are conscious of the fact that, to some, our name can be off-putting,” Richmond said. “That fact is something we struggle with, because we sincerely do not wish to give offence or show disrespect in any way toward anyone’s personal beliefs.”
The chain uses upside down crosses on their cups and has used ads depicting a nativity scene with an ice cream cone instead of Jesus, lightning bolts, skulls, and images suggesting vampires and blood, The Christian Post reported. One ad by the chain reads, “Thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain, but God d*** that’s delicious,” the Post reported.
U.S. locations planned for the chain include one at Baltimore-Washington Airport and one at the Mall of America, the Charlotte Observer reported.
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