Skunks’s Weblog

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?”

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.§§Remember,Remember,Scientology will get …the letter of the Legion,but the ghostrider had tells you,go back to hell,you backburn terror hornies””” §