Survey: Millions change after seeing ‘Passion’

A new poll suggests as many as 13 million people changed their religious behavior or beliefs after seeing Mel Gibson’s “The Passion of the Christ.”

“More than any other movie in recent years, ‘The Passion’ focused people on the person and purpose of Jesus Christ,” said George Barna, director of research for the Ventura, Calif.-based Barna Group, which conducted the survey.

“In a society that revolves on relativism, spiritual diversity, tolerance and independence, galvanizing such intense consideration of Jesus Christ is a major achievement in itself.”

Barna said some 67 million adults have seen the film, which is about one-third of all adults in the United States. His survey of 1,618 adults found that 18 percent altered their religious behavior and 16 percent changed their religious beliefs after seeing the movie. Applying those percentages to the 67 million total would mean 13 million and 11 million people, respectively.

Barna said changed behavior involved increased church attendance, praying more often or involvement in church-related activities. Changed beliefs involved becoming more concerned for others, implications of “life choices or personal behavior” and an increased “appreciation” for Jesus’ death.

Still, less than one-half of 1 percent of those polled were motivated to share their Christian faith, the survey showed. Barna said “major transformation is not likely to result from one-time exposure to a specific media product.”