I’ve always liked Will Smith. He doesn’t seem as crazy as everyone else in Tinseltown. According to Newsmax:
The No. 1 actor in Hollywood Will Smith knows about the antipathy many in Tinseltown have toward folks with more traditional religious views.
Smith recently talked with Newsweek about those who are nervous Nellies when it comes to faith, saying, “When people are afraid of religion they have to go back and get in touch with the Good Book.”
“Fear of other religions means you’re questioning your own understanding, and that’s just not where I am,” Smith added.
Because of his friendship with fellow actor Tom Cruise, Smith was asked about rumors of his possible conversion to Scientology.
“I love the nature of humanity’s search for meaning. For me, I’m certain about my relationship with the model of perfection of human life that’s laid out with the life of Jesus Christ,” Smith explained.
“I was in India recently, and my hotel was near the Taj Mahal. Five times a day there would be a call for prayer, and it was the most beautiful thing,” the “Seven Pounds” star recounted.
Smith found a way to relate his experience abroad to his own Baptist upbringing. “I was lying in my bed thinking, no matter what your religion is, it would be great to have that reminder five times a day to remember your Lord and savior,” he said.
Smith is “at home and not fearful” when at a mosque, synagogue, temple or the Church of Scientology, explaining that he likes “anywhere people are searching for the truth.”
“I respect their path and I’m intrigued by their path,” he shared.
December 4, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Interesting. I always assumed Will Smith was Catholic (or at least had a Catholic upbringing) since I have seen him cross himself on a few occasions. I guess he just did it for emphasis or because it is a recognisable sign of Christian faith.
December 4, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I have heard good things about him and his wife before. They are trying to raise their children with compassion and a giving spirit. I saw an article a few years ago that they take them to nursing homes to visit shut-ins, etc. They seemed like good people then, and I’m glad the Scientology nonsense I heard about him wasn’t true.
December 4, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I remember an interview I saw with him during his DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince days. He recounted an occurance when he was younger in which his grandmother read a rap song he was working on. In it he was trying to be more of a gangsta type rapper and it contained some profanity. She scolded him and told him if he couldn’t express himself cleanly, he shouldn’t be doing it at all. He learned from that and vowed to keep it clean and not disappoint her like that again. I’ve always seen him as a class act after that.
December 4, 2008 at 7:06 pm
It is refreshing that he respects other traditions because “they are searching for the truth” not because they are all equally true.
December 4, 2008 at 7:07 pm
Drivel.
— Mack
December 4, 2008 at 7:31 pm
NZie I agree. I’ve actually met him twice. Can’t say I “know” him, but we hung out in a large group. He definitely struck me as a nice guy, personable, easy to talk to no matter what type of people were around. I honestly think he just one of those “Will Rogers” types who likes people in general.
December 4, 2008 at 10:54 pm
it would be great to have that reminder five times a day to remember your Lord and savior,”
Um…there’s this Catholic book called a breviary…
Romulus
December 4, 2008 at 11:25 pm
good point. But look, he’s miles ahead of everyone else in Tinseltown.
December 5, 2008 at 1:52 am
“it would be great to have that reminder five times a day to remember your Lord and savior,”
has Smith not heard of the Angelus?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Angelus
granted it is only 3 times a day, but a lot easier to remember than the Muslim prayers
Or has he ever considered carrying a rosary?
December 5, 2008 at 1:55 am
My goodness, you guys are tough graders today. How many celebrities are willing to talk Jesus? Not many.
I’m just kind of glad he’s not a Scientologist.
December 5, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I also enjoyed his comments on marriage, that he regrets deeply how he gave up on his first one and that in his current marriage there is no option of divorce. He said that marriage is the hardest thing that anyone has to do and that if you even allow for the possibility of divorce, you will get divorced. Sure he’s not perfect, but a heck of a lot better role model than anyone else in mainstream Hollywood.
December 5, 2008 at 10:01 pm
This does reassure me that he’s not about to go couch jumping. I picture him wandering through Hollywood like Rex Kramer arriving at the Chicago airport –
“Please accept this flower from the -“
WHUMP!
“Hi, we’re the Hare – “
CRACK!
“Jews for Jesus?”
THUD!
“Scientolog yyyyyyy!”
FLIP!
BOFF!
December 8, 2008 at 4:55 am
“For me, I’m certain about my relationship with the model of perfection of human life that’s laid out with the life of Jesus Christ,” Smith explained.”
Will isn’t acknowledging that Jesus is God and Savior – he is saying Jesus is a model of perfection of human life.
Is there more to this? If not, it’s humanist at best.