wombat

Say it ain't so, Will...

Let's remember for just a moment that Will Smith -- the one-time Fresh Prince (later of Bel-Air) -- was raised Baptist. While I do not want to make steadfast connections between African Americans and traditional spirituality -- after all, Isaac Hayes is a Scientologist, and who could have thought that a man with a soul capable of penning "Walk On By," who started his singing career in a church, (who's specific denomination I was unable to find) could fall into the trap of Scientology? -- it is certainly a glimmer of hope for the American public that our beloved Prince has not gone the way of the dodo, or worse, the way of the lemming.

Describing himself as a "student of world religions" [source] seems to be another small sign of sanity -- after all, who can be chastised for simply wanting to learn all there is to learn? However, finding him handing out pamphlets for personality tests (redeemable at your local Church of Scientology, of course) as wrap presents* is highly contradictory to the sentiment that he is merely a "student."

The vacant, glazed-over look of Tom Cruise is one step away from the mush-brained stare of a carny with hair being blown lightly about by the winds of a Tilt-O-Whirl.

Could this picture simply be showing a camaraderie between actors? Something nice for the cameras? Or is there a much more sinister union taking place here? Has Tom Cruise taken Will Smith under his wing in order to lead our Fresh Prince towards acceptance of a laughable mythology?

It is hard to say. Although Smith has generally refuted organized religion, he has also admitted that in Scientology "98 percent of the principles are identical to the principles of the Bible" [source] -- a statement that seems to resonate with a grim rationalization for what path he may take.

Or, perhaps he is just defending the beliefs of his lunatic friend, Tom Cruise. Who knows? Smith's long-time friend, Jeffrey A. Townes ("Jazz"), was apparently unavailable for comment.

*traditional gifts for cast and crew on the last day of a film shoot

Posted by wombat at January 16, 2008 02:31 PM