OT: Will Smith: I am ... Scientologist?

[T-Bone]

Please say it isn't so


Will Smith: I am ... Scientologist?


If Will Smith is not a Scientologist, he’s not doing much to dispel the groundswell of rumors that place him front and center in the controversial church.

Smith, who was raised in the Baptist church, recently told Men’s Vogue that “98 percent of the principles [in Scientology] are identical to the principles of the Bible. … I don’t think that because the word someone uses for spirit is ‘thetan’ that the definition becomes any different.” (In case you haven’t taken your beginner course or searched Wikipedia, Scientologists consider a ‘thetan’ to be a spiritual being — possessing both a mind and body — who has lived through several incarnations.)

Moreover, sources close to the actor are no longer as tight-lipped about his religious preferences. “He’s been getting more and more involved [in Scientology],” said one source. “And it isn’t just him, it’s definitely [his wife] Jada, too.” This backs up an earlier Us Weekly report that quotes a source as saying, “She’s more gung-ho about Scientology than Will.”

So why make a big deal out of Smith’s affiliation with Scientology? “It’s not that it’s such a big deal, but when some of his friends, like Tom [Cruise], get so much grief for it, it seems like it’s time to just be honest about it.”






UPDATE: Will Smith: Scientology Wasn't for Me


Will Smith may have studied Scientology with pal Tom Cruise, but he says his faith rests in his own spirituality.

"I don't necessarily believe in organized religion," Smith, 39, said when asked about Scientology Friday at a junket for his upcoming film I Am Legend.

"I love my God, my higher power, but it is mine and mine alone, and I create my connection, and I decide how my connection is going to be," he added.

Describing himself as a "student of world religions," Smith — who was raised a Baptist — said: "I believe that my connection to my higher power is separate from everybody's.

"I don’t believe that the Muslims have all the answers and all the beliefs. I don’t believe the Christians have all the answers and beliefs, or that the Jews have all the answers."

[Rip Rokken]

Scientology caters to the rich and famous, using them as marketing pieces. The majority of people who get involved experience something completely different. This is a great article Time Magazine did in 1991, and anyone considering Scientology should read it:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/artic ... 65,00.html

[finalfight]

The emphasis on scientology might just be a smoke screen to keep Mr Smith's the closet door from opening too far as there are more than skeletons inside!

Who knows for sure but I kind of hope not. I liked I Am Legend a great deal and find it difficult enough to show my support for 'fellow' scientologist/guru Tom Cruise these days after his sofa jumping meltdown despite the fact that he is an amazing actor.

[jrnyman28]

Ahhh, scientology: the made up religion that requires money to get further along.

I don't care what religion (even a made-up one...but then aren't they all?) someone is. And THAT is a founding principle of the United States!


Do you know what the difference between a religion and a cult is? The number of people who believe. That's it. If there are less than 1000 people it is defined a cult, more than 1000 is a religion.

[Granny]

Ahhh, scientology: the made up religion that requires money to get further along.

I don't care what religion (even a made-up one...but then aren't they all?) someone is. And THAT is a founding principle of the United States!


Do you know what the difference between a religion and a cult is? The number of people who believe. That's it. If there are less than 1000 people it is defined a cult, more than 1000 is a religion.

That was my next question: thanks for anwering it. However, Scientology seems more like a cult to me....especially when people are so gung-ho over it. To me, religion is a private matter.

[jrnyman28]

Scientology should be a private matter as well. The problem is that all these celebrities are getting involved and there is no such thing as privacy when you are a celebrity anymore. That, and the "church", I am sure, likes the publicity because the public will follow their "idols"...it is campaigning really.

[T-Bone]

New update in the first post

[Perrydise]

Ahhh, scientology: the made up religion that requires money to get further along.

I don't care what religion (even a made-up one...but then aren't they all?) someone is. And THAT is a founding principle of the United States!


Do you know what the difference between a religion and a cult is? The number of people who believe. That's it. If there are less than 1000 people it is defined a cult, more than 1000 is a religion.

That was my next question: thanks for anwering it. However, Scientology seems more like a cult to me....especially when people are so gung-ho over it. To me, religion is a private matter.

Exactly. Thank you Granny.

[Rip Rokken]

Scientology should be a private matter as well. The problem is that all these celebrities are getting involved and there is no such thing as privacy when you are a celebrity anymore. That, and the "church", I am sure, likes the publicity because the public will follow their "idols"...it is campaigning really.

The problem with celebs is that so many are just ego-driven, and use "religion" or "spirituality" to enhance their image. They often pick religions that cater to celebs or pamper them (Scientology, Kabbalah, etc.), and are permissible of their self-gratifying lifestyles. I watched an interesting special on celeb religions, and it mentioned how many of the Buddhists like to go on "spiritual journeys" and sojourn to places where they could mingle with monks and stuff, but how they were really just being ultra-pampered -- not learning any kind of self-denying teachings for sure. Just expensive all-out aromatherapy spa trips, really.

They also seem to steer clear of religions that would convict them or challenge their lifestyles, which is why you see so few Christians in Hollywood. They are there, and there are quite a few (Denzel Washington is one), but they keep it closer to themselves rather than using it to keep their names in the news.

[larryfromnextdoor]

will smith has been creating controversy for the last week with his misquote of how hitler was a good guy ,, sometimes its best to just not talk if your a celebrity..

[Playitloudforme]

We went to the set of Jada's film last week, and the report was (at midnight) that Tom Cruise was coming to the set. We opted not to stay, but he was there to see Will.

All I got to see of Will was the back of his head and his ears, but my son & GF took a pic with Jada.



As far as the scientology thing goes... it was the first thing I thought of when I heard Cruise was coming to the set. No idea whether or not it's true tho.

For the record, Jada is 10000% gracious. Classy lady, worked her BUTT off on this film...

[Rockindeano]

Wait until our Republican Religious core group (RF, PCDave and Abitaman) read this. All Hell will break loose.

[conversationpc]

Wait until our Republican Religious core group (RF, PCDave and Abitaman) read this. All Hell will break loose.

Huh?

[Rick]

Wait until our Republican Religious core group (RF, PCDave and Abitaman) read this. All Hell will break loose.

Huh?

What's your take on Scientology, Dave?

I don't get it. It's a religion with everything except God. Isn't God the focus of religion? That's where it loses me.

[stevew2]

Scientology caters to the rich and famous, using them as marketing pieces. The majority of people who get involved experience something completely different. This is a great article Time Magazine did in 1991, and anyone considering Scientology should read it:

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/artic ... 65,00.html

Thats scarey as shit. I hate cults,the worse one was Jim Jones, when thet moved to Africa and drank poison Koolaid. Ron Hubbard is a total piece of shit

[Voyager]

Help me Jesus! Help me Allah! Help Me Tom Cruise! Help me Oprah! Help me Will Smith! Use some of your magic powers on me!

[Rick]

Help me Jesus! Help me Allah! Help Me Tom Cruise! Help me Oprah! Help me Will Smith! Use some of your magic powers on me!

You're freaking me the hell out here! You were Viggio or something like that, then I think that was you as JC, now your back like you were. I'm so confused! But that ain't hard to do.

[Rip Rokken]

I hate cults,the worse one was Jim Jones, when thet moved to Africa and drank poison Koolaid. Ron Hubbard is a total piece of shit

I concur... Especially scary that they have their own "Intelligence Agency" who can engineer a character assassination against an opposer to Scientology (been a while since I read the article, but I remember that was one of the points they made). For most of these cults, all you have to do is look at the life and history of the founder, and I haven't seen any yet worth following. L. Ron Hubbard's life speaks for itself.