Denver, CO -- Mel Gibson's hit film, "The Passion Of The Christ," is not only a box office blockbuster, it's leaving its mark on the greeting card industry.

According to Rick Tocquigny, president of Lawson-Falle publishing -- which specializes in inspirational cards -- Gibson's "Passion" has worked "...like a border collie or sheepdog" in bringing new converts to both Christ and his greeting cards.

He says his card company is seeing a big lift in sales since the film's release and believes more Americans are buying faith-based cards this Easter than those featuring bunnies, ducks and colored eggs.

Most of the cards sold in the last few weeks aren't Easter cards. Instead, card-carrying Christians are buying "witness cards" -- all-year-round cards inviting people to church.

But while most of the folks buying Easter cards are picking more religious messages than previous years, Tocquigny admits some border on irreverent, such as the card that features Jesus playing one-on-one basketball with St. Peter.

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