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New York Daily News, USA
Jan. 9, 2008 Column
Ben Widdicombe
www.nydailynews.com

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ReligionNewsBlog.com • Item 20315 • Posted: Wednesday January 9, 2008  

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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.

Fun!

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.

For a fee, of course.

Smith, who is best buddies with Scientology booster Tom Cruise, has never confirmed that he joined the church. But he told “Access Hollywood” last month: “I 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.”

Presumably the other 2% is the part about the evil space emperor who put the hydrogen bombs in the volcano.

Smith’s rep was traveling with the actor on Tuesday and unavailable for comment.

• Gossip Column, Ben Widdicombe

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