Should we boycott The Da Vinci Code movie?

There is a flurry of activity in Christian circles regarding the upcoming release of The Da Vinci Code on May 19th. Some advise boycotting the movie. Others advise seeing it so that you can defend the faith against it. Others advise going on that day to see another movie. I read an excellent article on this question this morning. The question raised by the author was whether this is an opportunity to boycott the culture or to engage the culture. In the long run, we might be more successful in reaching out to evangelize the culture by engaging it.

Will The Da Vinci Code drive millions away from the historic Christian faith? Doubtful. The Barna Research Group reported that less than one-tenth of 1% of the people who watched The Passion of the Christ actually accepted Christ as a result of viewing the film. The gay population won’t spike because of Brokeback Mountain, and I doubt The Da Vinci Code will create a nation of agnostics. What it will do is give us one of the greatest platforms we’ve had in a long time for sharing the story of our faith.

Don’t waste this opportunity by holding a picket sign. Be ready to engage in a spirit of friendship and respect that will begin a conversation that could eventually change the culture.