Ice Cream Mogul Drops Faith Bombshell
Ben Cohen, co-founder of the socially active ice cream brand Ben & Jerry’s, recently opened up about his admiration for Jesus Christ during a conversation with Tucker Carlson on X. Though Cohen does not practice any formal religion, he expressed deep respect for Jesus’ teachings, calling them powerful and inspiring. Despite being born into Judaism, Cohen emphasized his appreciation for the message found in the Sermon on the Mount and voiced concern that many institutional Christian groups fail to truly reflect those teachings in practice.
Cohen’s comments came toward the end of a broader interview that mainly addressed U.S. foreign policy. He stated that basing the national economy on weapons production was contrary to spiritual values, which led to the discussion about his spiritual views. He also mentioned his connection to Shane Claiborne, a Christian activist known for advocating a return to Jesus’ core message of peace and compassion.
Over the years, Ben & Jerry’s has gained recognition for promoting progressive political causes. The company has supported LGBTQ+ rights by renaming flavors in favor of marriage equality in both the U.S. and the U.K. It has also taken stances on international issues, such as halting sales in parts of Israel over concerns about Palestinian rights, and has been vocal in movements related to racial justice, including partnerships with public figures like Colin Kaepernick.
Ben & Jerry’s has continued to be politically outspoken, even during Donald Trump’s second presidential term. It has released statements and products aimed at addressing social justice, including criticisms of perceived authoritarianism, support for abortion providers, and initiatives supporting Indigenous rights. These actions have sparked both support and backlash from the public and corporate stakeholders.
Most recently, the brand alleged that its CEO was dismissed by parent company Unilever due to resistance against curbing its social advocacy. Despite the challenges, Ben & Jerry’s appears committed to maintaining its identity as both a dessert brand and a platform for progressive messaging.