Can Will Smith Be Saved From The Church Of Scientology?
The internets are buzzing* with intel that Scientology’s leader David Miscavige, feeling cornered and provoked, has started a multi-front offensive. What this entails is still up for debate, but one thing seems consistently obvious, Scientology must recruit a likable face to help them detract from their recent spate of negative press.
Could that someone be Will Smith? All signs point to yes, and if you think about it, what better person to replace Tom Cruise as spokesperson? Smith has surpassed Cruise in both popularity and likability, having ranked as the 5th most likable celeb in a 2006 Harris poll.
Coincidentally, that same year a Gallup poll showed that Cruise was the least likable of well known celebs, with a 51% unfavorable rating. Cruise, has in fact become a liability, having destroyed his successful relationship with Hollywood powerhouses Sumner Redstone and director Steven Spielberg by using his celeb status to proselytize Scientology, over promoting his films.
Not only is Will Smith a box office favorite, he has been a positive role model for many young people with his broad-base appeal. Smith, with his feet firmly planted in both the hip-hop community and the acting community has become the rare crossover entertainer. When you throw in his humble, and affable personality, this makes him a valuable asset to any group seeking his endorsement. Will Smith is grounded in the street, but able to reach Bel Air with ease and perhaps most importantly, he has soul. In the deepest and truest sense. When he pines for what might have been between he and Rosario Dawson in Men In Black II, it was a throw away moment, but one that rings so true.
Will’s rise to prominence is more than just timely, it’s as though the hands of fate have smiled upon him. Just as our society has positively shifted towards truly and finally accepting an African American as a potential leader for this nation, we are presented with the meteoric rise and popularity of Democratic presidential nominee Barack Obama. It’s not surprising then, that the other most powerful entity in America, Hollywood, would also have a parallel leader emerge who mirrors those qualities which people admire in the man who may become our next president.
Will Smith, like Barack Obama, is exceptionally charismatic, intelligent, articulate, handsome, seemingly trustworthy and without scandal. In reality, we were long overdue for this cultural shift and both stand as emblematic figures poised to take their place at the helm of guiding our multi-ethnic nation.
Surely, even David Miscavige must see this reality as clearly as we do, and this is evident in the actions of the Church of Scientology as they apply their pressure on Smith to no longer stay on the fence between Scientology, a peaking world-view, and the otherwise skeptical eye of the general population. It’s us or them time, and Will Smith must choose wisely.
Popular opinion would tell him to avoid Scientology, as it has alienated itself from most critical thinking individuals in both the media and the arts. But the allure of the Church and how it courts celebrities can be a powerful and dizzying force. Even more potent in this mix of intoxicating influences may be Will’s own wife Jada. What Jada lacks in stature, she makes up for in sheer will. Some within the Hollywood community believe Jada is already deeply entrenched within the Org. How they managed to ensnare this diminutive power-house is inconceivable, but from the outside, it would seem she is pulling her husband into the opulent walls of Scientology.
Will admits to studying Scientology with Tom Cruise, and according to an article in Us Magazine, Jada is even more intrigued.
“I’ve studied Buddhism and Hinduism, and I’ve studied Scientology through Tom [Cruise].”
A source tells Us Weekly that wife Jada, 36, is also intrigued by the religion, saying, “She’s more gung-ho about Scientology than Will.”
Smith, 39, who was raised Baptist, says in Vogue, “Ninety-eight 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.”
And according to the NYDailyNews, Will is actively recruiting for the Church, despite denying being a full-fledged member:
Will Smith has joined the ranks of Hollywood power players actively recruiting for the Church of Scientology.
Big stars traditionally distribute “wrap presents” to crew members after completing a film. His recent gift after wrapping next summer’s comedy “Hancock” was a card good for a personality test at your local Scientology center.
And most revealing was Smith’s fervent defense of Tom Cruise during his PR tour for his latest film, I Am Legend. Here Smith defends Cruise to Access Hollywood’s Shaun Robinson:
“It seems like it makes you angry that people have attacked him because of what he believes?†Robinson said.“When I sit and I talk with Tom Cruise, he is one of the greatest spirits that I’ve ever met – someone who is committed to making the world better,†Will said. “You have people [that] are attacking and wanna fight that don’t know nothing — how you gonna not know nothing about Scientology and attack somebody? It’s dangerous and it’s ignorant.
“How can I condemn someone for what they believe and I believe that God was born from a pregnant virgin?â€
And if money talks, then Will’s putting his where his mouth isn’t ready to go just yet. FoxNews reports Will and his wife Jada donated $20,000 to a literacy program run by Scientology called HELP, Hollywood Education Literacy Program in 2004. Although in fairness, Will gives to plenty of charitable organizations. But, so do lots of celebs, though it is unusual for a non-Scientologist to donate funds to the group without also being a practicing member.
In all truthfulness, its unlikely Scientology has its full tentacles in the Pinkett-Smith conglomerate as of yet. Scientology doesn’t lend itself to allowing people to be full-fledged followers and hugely popular celebrities without the obligation of shilling for the organization. But time is running out, and the Church of Scientology is not a patient beast.
Someone better get DJ Jazzy Jeff on the horn, because it will take an army of funky fresh DJs to save the Fresh Prince from the sticky clutches of Scientology.
*You’ll have to look it up, as I am not at ease with pointing out the direct source.
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Comment by D — February 22, 2008 @ 12:40 am
Italian ex-Scientologist fears for his life. Posts Video Life Insurance on Youtube:
http://digg.com/world_news/Fear_to_Die_Italian_Confesses_Fear_of_Co_Retribution
Comment by Anergy — February 22, 2008 @ 2:09 am
We don’t know if it’ll work, but we’re damn well going to try helping him.
Comment by Anonymous — February 22, 2008 @ 4:11 am
Oprah can save him.
Comment by crazymom — February 22, 2008 @ 6:36 am
He got in one little cult and the internet got scared…
Comment by Anonymous — February 22, 2008 @ 6:50 am
That’s the problem. People don’t know what they believe, so they are vulnerable to anything that crosses their path and tickles their ears.
If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. Cliched, but true.
Comment by k — February 22, 2008 @ 12:05 pm
“Humble” is never an apropos word for someone who joins an organization that says you can become a superman. $cientologists seem to think of themselves as an emerging master race. They talk about “clearing” the planet and dangle the (absurd) possibility of special powers coming along with the highest OT levels. That doesn’t seem very “humble” to me.
Comment by Narcissus — February 22, 2008 @ 1:15 pm
HEY WILL!
“ATTACK THE ATTACKER” - L.RonHubbard
“Turn the other cheek” - Jesus
NOT COMPATIBLE! FAIL!
Comment by OBVIOUS — February 22, 2008 @ 2:51 pm
Will…you’ve always been a free thinker….you always will be. Just say NO. We love you!
Comment by a — February 22, 2008 @ 3:42 pm
Or…
“Salvation is free” –Jesus
“To learn anything from us you must pay a gazillion dollars” –LRH
Or better yet…
“There is no fear in love…perfect love casts out all fear.”
Yup. Not compatible. FAIL!
Comment by k — February 22, 2008 @ 4:10 pm
Look at what he says in that last interview - “he is one of the greatest spirits that I’ve ever met – someone who is committed to making the world better”
This is Sceino speak. “making the world better” means “clearing the planet” nothing the sceinos do with ANY of their charitable organizations is actual charity - it’s ALL ABOUT SPREADING SCIENTOLOGY.
Yes, HELP is a ‘charity” that distributes LRH tech. Everything they do - every seemingly innocent charity program - is intended to recruit new victims and nothing else. It’s really sick. Write about that, please?
Comment by Anonymous — February 22, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
Zed: “Edwards, Lets put it on”
Agent ‘J’: …put what on?
Zed: “The last Suit you’ll ever wear.”
Comment by Anonymous Hollywood — February 22, 2008 @ 6:01 pm
Free Willy!
Comment by a — February 22, 2008 @ 6:36 pm
I predict Will will be in. A good actor is good because she (or he) is good at being made to believe, to turn other’s story into her (his) own “reality”.
No wonder celebs with Sciento are all but from Hollywood.
Comment by Alex — February 22, 2008 @ 8:20 pm
Will is not a Scientologist and never will be. The NYDaily News article was a complete fabrication, that US magazine source is rubbish. Will has stated he is not a scientologist, but you conveniently failed to mention that in your article .
Comment by tim — February 22, 2008 @ 10:12 pm
The problem is not that Will Smith is or is not a $cientologist though it would be a shame, especially if he realizes how LRH felt about African-Americans. What does it matter? He is an actor, one whose jobs is to entertain us. What he choses to believe, endorses or says should have NO bearing on how people should live their lives. In medieval times people were entertained by clowns and court jesters, celebrities are the same today. Before celebrities became famous they were likely serving you a meal. So if you wish to follow them that is your misguided choice.
Comment by Rob — February 23, 2008 @ 5:34 pm
I can’t believe it. Another Scientology story. What’s this site supposed to be about? Can’t we get any non-Scientology gossip anymore?
Comment by Jeanne — February 24, 2008 @ 3:14 pm
Jeanne — there’s one scientology article for about six gossip articles. Also, you’ve linked to Scientologymyths.info, which is a Scientology-owned website whose only purpose it to dismiss truths with lies. You’d be wise to know that Scientology has a reputation of constructing lies, slandering others and persecuting everyone who dismisses their organization.
How can you really give any credit to an Organization that has been prosecuted for the LARGEST infiltration missing in the history of the US, who’s reknowned for having strong millitants against them (especially who’ve been in their organization, achieving high levels), who’re quick to persecute and never defend themselves (the CoS issued a global news reply; Scientologists were not allowed to speak with reporters. I should know, I saw one get called back into the building after he approached a college reporter)?
You’re foolish if you’re trying to make us believe you don’t work for Scientology, and you’re worse-off if you truly believe that scientologymyths.info is legitimate source of information.
Comment by Anoynymause — February 24, 2008 @ 4:03 pm
Hey Jeanne, seeing as you are posting from a Scientology center, I will ignore your really desperate and pathetic attempts to distract from the content of this and every other post you’ve commented on.
Do me a favor Jeanne, let your boss David Miscavige know that not only is he a very short and uneducated man, he is also being watched too.
Yep, we’re watching. All the time. 24-7, times running out better get on the Freewinds or the Apollo or whatever rust bucket will still float and get off of dry land, because when the shoe finally drops, all you know and understand will crumble and the only thing left standing will be your glaringly illegal crimes.
See ya soon Davey!
Comment by D — February 24, 2008 @ 4:29 pm
D, one thing we may need to look out for, is that they may try to “rebrand” the “church.”
It is rumored that David M had been thinking of “rebranding” with the intention of reducing the association between their business focused courses and the teachings of LRH in order to appeal to corporations as regular business training services.
I am sure they will start off denying any association with the CoS until they are a little more established. Isn’t that how they got started with Narconon? Isn’t that how they started their takeover of Clearwater?
Comment by Nonya — February 25, 2008 @ 8:00 am
D, even though it is just a rumor (allegedly leaked from internal sources), it is still to our benefit to be aware of this tactic so that any attempt to do so can be thwarted early on.
Corporations that have found their reputation sullied by bad press often resort to this measure. They will change their name, logo, and even restructure their company relying on the public’s short term memory.
Comment by Nonya — February 25, 2008 @ 8:19 am
Will is a CO$ robot. Handing out invitations to go to a CO$ centre for a ‘free’ interview to the crew on I am Legend support this.
And CO$ will act all lovely-dovey, in complete denial of LRH teachings about other races… But then, hypocrisy and CO$ go hand in hand…
Comment by beebee — February 25, 2008 @ 9:11 pm
Apologies. He mentioned CO$ to those that were interested on Legend set (and gave them the “Way to Happiness’ pamphlet (a buddy filled me in on that one… ;)) - but handed out crap to the Hancock crew:
http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/01/09/2008-01-09_will_smith_boosting_scientology.html
Comment by beebee — February 26, 2008 @ 12:07 am
Free The Fresh Prince!!
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savewillsmith/
Comment by Guy Incognito — February 26, 2008 @ 9:21 am
Jesus christ. Sure, a shameless banshee cry as victors hentai lesbian rape in one of.
Comment by nbilalox — October 14, 2008 @ 10:14 pm