Ice cream chain being boycotted for its 'totally offensive' Christianity-inspired name

Ice cream chain Sweet Jesus shares images of its dessert creations on social media. The company is facing backlash and boycotts for its name and branding. Ice cream chain Sweet Jesus shares images of its dessert creations on social media. The company is facing backlash and boycotts for its name and branding. Photo: Sweet Jesus Via Instagram Photo: Sweet Jesus Via Instagram Image 1 of / 20 Caption Close Ice cream chain being boycotted for its 'totally offensive' Christianity-inspired name 1 / 20 Back to Gallery

I scream, you scream, lots of people scream about religiously-charged controversial ice cream.

Ice cream chain Sweet Jesus, which has nearly 20 locations in Canada and one in Baltimore, is popular on Instagram for its over-the-top dessert creations. But now it's facing a boycott from those who say the company's name is "totally offensive and revolting."

A recent petition demands the business change its name and its owner issue an apology for its "blasphemous" branding. On top of the name "Sweet Jesus," the chain also alludes to elements of Christianity in a few of its ice cream flavors, like "Red Rapture" and "Sweet Baby Jesus."

"They are calling our Lord a flavor of ice cream. They are making a mockery of Christian symbols. They are abusing Biblical texts," the petition reads in part.

So far, it has garnered more than 10,000 signatures. A separate petition on Change.org is also gaining steam.

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A note on the ice cream chain's website reads, "Our name was created from the popular phrase that people use as an expression of enjoyment, surprise or disbelief. Our aim is not to offer commentary on anyone's religion or belief systems."

Despite the outrage of thousands of people who apparently signed the petitions, Sweet Jesus' CEO told CBC News he's not planning on shutting down or rebranding.

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"After a lot of thought, we have decided that we will not make a change," Andrew Richmond said in a statement.

"Sweet Jesus is an honest reflection of our experiences and that of our customers and how they react when they try our product. In our experience, the majority of people understand that we're not trying to make a statement about religion."

Read Alix Martichoux's latest stories and send her news tips at amartichoux@sfchronicle.com.