An ice cream chain in Canada has come under fire from Christians for its name, and as it plans to expand in the U.S. later this year, a group from Pennsylvania filed a petition to protest Sweet Jesus for choosing the offensive name and logo.
Nearly 29,000 signed the petition that Return to Order lodged against Sweet Jesus. The group called out the company for its "blasphemous" name and "Nazi style" logo images. The group also said that they couldn't remain silent with the company's presence.
But it's not the only petition Christians filed against Sweet Jesus. In Canada, a complaint against the company filed on CitizenGo also received over 8,000 signatures. The petition called the ice cream company's name choice "totally offensive and revolting" and qualified it as "hate speech."
The groups also identified the unacceptable promo materials the company used for Sweet Jesus. One ad showed a child fully made up to look like JonBenet Ramsey, the murdered 6-year-old pageant queen, holding a Sweet Jesus ice cream.
A Twitter user noted that the image was meant to shock the public and she was not having it. A Christian YouTube user also made a video blog about Sweet Jesus and pointed out the company's anti-Christ stand.
Ads found on the company's site also used Christian and Catholic symbols -- such as the rosary, crucifix and angels -- alongside disturbing and sexualized images of children. Those who signed the petition viewed this as a mockery of their faith.
Written on the company's website, however, is a disclaimer saying that the company chose its name based on the popular phrase, "Sweet Jesus!" to express surprise. The company claims the name is not meant to offer any religious commentaries.
"Our own organization is made up of amazing people that represent a wide range of cultural and religious beliefs," the disclaimer stated.
Andrew Richmond and Amin Todai created Sweet Jesus in 2015. It's been serving Canada in over 19 locations and has one U.S. site at the Washington International Airport in Baltimore. It plans to open more stores in the U.S., such as in the Mall of America, in October this year.
