Report: Will Smith Recruiting for Scientology on "Hancock"
The controversial and bizarre religion cult of the Church of Scientology adds yet another celebrity client to its ranks: Will Smith.
Ben Widdicombe's Gatecrasher reports from the "wrap party" on the set of Hancock. The mega-star of I Am Legend eschewed giving traditional Hollywood "wrap present" gifts such as iPods or gift bags of Kiehls for a more spiritual touch: A coupon for a free personality test at your local Scientology center.
"Never mind that such tests are given free by the church anyway. The quiz is designed to convert people to the religion by identifying personality flaws that—surprise!—Scientology can fix right up for you."
The personality test is free but subsequent E-meter audits (read: classes) can be costly. Will Smith, who is BFF with Scientology booster and Thetan-in-Chief Tom Cruise, has never confirmed he joined the organization but told Access Hollywood last month he "was introduced to it by Tom, and I'm a student of world religion. I was raised in a Baptist household. I went to a Catholic school, but the ideas of the Bible are 98% the same ideas of Scientology, 98% the same ideas of Hinduism and Buddhism."
No word on the composition of that other 2 percent. Meanwhile, the very! straight! R&B poptart Usher Raymond continues "taking steps in his pursuit of Scientology" and recently co-chaired a fundraiser with über-Scientologist and fellow newly-married heterosexual Tom Cruise.
(via Defamer)
Did You Read ... ?
Tom Cruise Helps Convert R&B Star Usher Raymond to Scientology [R20]
News: "Dirty Laundry", Usher, Will Smith [R20]
News: Obama, Hillary, Will Smith [R20]
News: Will Demps on Gays, Sharpton and Homopbia [R20]
Poor, cute, Will Smith, now caught up in a church based on Science Fiction, just a pity, I guess that "macho" Tom Cruise, according to that new book, just has that effect on straight men to get them to join up. And, even I as a Star Trek fan would never believe anything religious that Roddenberry wrote!
Posted by: Luther | 15 January 2008 at 15:57
"in a church based on Science Fiction" - What makes you think the bible or the Koran or the Torah are not based on some men's imagination and making up shit as they go along ? They are all based on some myths so what makes Scientology any worse than other religions who endorsed some wacked out ideas also ?
Posted by: princegoro | 15 January 2008 at 16:14
I'm still tripped up on the 98% similar thing. If he really was a student of world religion he couldnt possibly have made that statement.
Posted by: DFS | 15 January 2008 at 16:24
I have to agree with Princegoro. Even though Scientology is not my thing I think that we should respect those who have other opinions. Many of us believe (myself included) in virgin births and speaking burning bushes. Some may find those beliefs to be Science Fiction or Fairy Tales. Let’s be more tolerant of others who think different from us and not be so righteous. We don't have all agree.
Posted by: L.B. | 15 January 2008 at 18:42
The big male stars join Scientology to help conceal their homosexuality, esp. after the audits get them on tape talking about all their kinks.
Posted by: Bob | 15 January 2008 at 18:58
Bob, I think that you are onto something, anytime you have to pay someone to tell you what's wrong with you over and over again, and, they can fix it, sounds like you are trying to cover something up or you need a shrink, mind you, in Wills's case, I bet its to stay in the top tier roles more than anything else. Or, it was Jada's idea to join and get ready for the the flight on that UFO, LOL!
Posted by: Luther | 15 January 2008 at 19:59
(Shaking my head) I'll just quote Hitchens: "Religion. Poisons. Everything."
Posted by: Andy Niable | 15 January 2008 at 22:12
Really, I'm fine with whatever belief system Will Smith chooses or doesn't. But after watching the Cruise craziness on Gawker, I'm thinking he may want to beef up his PR.
Posted by: | 16 January 2008 at 10:15
Its like Mr Smith wants to have his cake and eat it too: you can't maintain a relationship with the spokesman of Scientology and express interest in its main beliefs and hand out their recruitment material while at the same time trying to distance yourself from any association with it.
Posted by: will smith new movie hancock | 26 April 2008 at 20:28