do not cloud the real story that saves

Normally I don’t think much of calls to boycott a film or a book because such calls oftentimes backfire.

But with persistent appeals to boycott the film “Da Vinci Code” and with these words by Francis Cardinal Arinze of Nigeria, I am beginning to see the merits of loudly speaking up about this film.

“[They] are exploiting the Christian readiness to forgive and to love even those who insult us. There are some other religions which if you insult their founder they will not be just talking. They will make it painfully clear to you," Arinze said, referring perhaps to the recent tumult in the Muslim world because of caricatures of Muhammad.

However, for me personally, the strongest argument for speaking against this film and for the boycott is because it clouds the REAL central message—the STORY—of Christ and the Church. Arinze said: “’The Da Vinci Code' presents (Christianity) wrongly ... any film produced on the basis of that book is already in error from the word go, no matter how interesting it might appear."

Why is this argument the strongest? Sadly many people out there do not know The Real Story, the Gospel. After serving in several ministries in the Church now, and having several months under my belt of priestly service, I have become aware of this sad reality.

Many folks out there have either never heard the real and beautiful Story of Christianity, or don’t care to inform themselves of it.

But compare the Grand Real Story of Jesus and His Church to the fiction being fed to the masses by Hollywood, the latter comes up hollow and empty.

Not only that, but this hollow fiction DOES NOT SAVE. Whereas the Real Story is the Message that saves you.