It's a funny thing that a movie star such as Mel Gibson can go from million-dollar star of all four Lethal Weapon movies to $25 million financier and director of this month's most controversial theatrical film release, The Passion of the Christ.

While the center of the controversy revolves around the portrayal of the Jews' role in Jesus' death, I think there are some more pressing issues that arise from hype surrounding the film.

The real problem with The Passion of the Christ is the inherent danger of a film that is being used by religious groups for religious conversion, especially when films are usually based on commercial greed.

Before you start sending me e-mails about the First Amendment and its guarantee of free speech, let me clear something up.

Gibson had every right to make this movie. I'm in no way against the production of a film about the last 12 hours of Jesus' life; I'm all for the production of films about any topic -- controversial or not.

If Gibson wants to spend $25 million of his own money (don't feel bad, he's one of Hollywood's highest paid stars) on a Passion play, so be it.

That said, The Passion of the Christ is sure to be a success. Some theaters in the South are dedicating all of their screens to showings for the film. In the past week, 43 percent of sales on Fandango, an online ticket source, were pre-sales for Passion -- all because Christian organizations have been vigorously embracing the movie.

Even a simple Google search of the film yields hundreds of Web sites dedicated to Passion.

The official Web site of the film is the most troubling of all. One area of the site is labeled "Spread the Word." Visitors can download flyers and posters for the movie and are encouraged to hang them in their community in order to generate publicity for the movie.

Of course, this is normal. Every movie released in this country follows a flurry of media activity and advertising campaigns. Movie studios spend millions of dollars on their films, and advertising is the only way to "spread the word" about the film. Good word of mouth about a film helps the box office receipts even more. One could say The Passion of the Christ is trying to do the same: generate publicity before the movie is released.

However, advertising for this film has been anything but traditional. New Market Films, the studio backing the film, has refrained from using television and print advertisement, instead relying purely on the help of America's religious community (not to mention relentless attention from the media).

Not only are fans being asked to do grassroots advertising for the film, but it's also being hailed as one of the most influential movies of all time. Religious groups embracing it suggest Passion is more than a movie.

But, in traditional Hollywood fashion, Gibson could lose big money when the film is released Wednesday, and he wants to make sure that doesn't happen.

Understandable? Yes. But, when you combine religion and capitalism, you've entered into dangerous territory.

The official Web site also has an array of religious-themed products for purchase, including "Cross" lapel pins and pocket reminders. Fans are instructed to "wear a lapel pin and when you are asked about what it is or what it means, you can share your passion for Christ." Then it suggests that you purchase whatever God is leading you to do and to encourage others to see the movie.

Gibson should be ashamed that this Web site is using religion to sell film merchandise -- unless he's suggesting that religion is often all about money. In a Newsweek article, Gibson said, "The Holy Ghost was working through me." He is claiming that he made this film out of pure religious conviction. Yet, Gibson is positioned to make his millions back and take praise from the entire Christian community, who see this as the "best outreach opportunity" in 2,000 years.

A link found on the official Web site led me to "the Passion" outreach site.

Preachers and ministers are asked to show the trailer during Sunday services and encourage their congregations to buy tickets and bring their friends. Another clever idea suggests that the congregation go to neighborhoods in need of God's love.

There, they are instructed to pray and leave cards about The Passion of the Christ on doorsteps. Since when did the movies become a forum for the conversion of non-believers? The outreach site believes that this film could encourage countless numbers of faithless moviegoers to realize the sacrifice Jesus made.

The idea is slightly frightening.

Film may be the most powerful medium in existence, and no one doubts Gibson's ability to make beautiful films. He did it with Braveheart, and he's more than likely done it again with The Passion of the Christ.

But, films have the power to alter perceptions and, at worst, act as propaganda.

The Nazis used film to glorify their party and convert others to their cause. I'm not equating the film or Christianity with Nazism, but the problem lies in using similar methods.

A film for religious conversion? It's dangerous.

Especially when the bottom line isn't spreading the gospel but earning the American dollar.