David Beckham has spoken of his respect for Scientology but denies showbiz pal Tom Cruise has tried to convert him to the religion.
The Hollywood star has helped the football ace and wife Victoria to settle in to life in America.
But Beckham, 32, insisted Tom and wife Katie Holmes have never tried to persuade them to become Scientologists.
Becks said: “We respect their religion. We respect everything they do and believe in.
“But they have never turned around to us and said, ‘You have to be a part of this’, because that’s not what they’re about.
“It’s never been about that.
There’s been nothing shoved down our throats because friends don’t do things like that.
“They are amazing people who are just so positive about life and they have been great to us.”
But it’s not just Tom and Katie who have welcomed them to Los Angeles. Becks, 32, has struck up an unlikely friendship with Jennifer Lopez’s husband, Mark Anthony.
– Justice Anderson, Supreme Court of Victoria, Australia, quoted atWhat judges have to say about Scientology
The midfielder said: “We talk about all sorts. What’s happening that week, that day. What Jennifer’s up to, what Victoria’s up to. I speak to him at least three or four times a week.”
Despite his injury worries and less than auspicious start at LA Galaxy, Becks said his family are adapting well to life in the US.
He told Arena magazine: “Victoria has done an amazing job on the house. She made sure the kids got into the right schools. It was a big move for them coming without their friends, their nans and granddads. But they love it…
They say ‘awesome’ a lot.
“I am passionate about my job but I am more passionate about my children. I bring them up exactly how I was brought up.”
He is also passionate about Victoria, 33, who is about to kick off the Spice Girls reunion tour, and admits they work hard to keep their marriage alive.
Becks said: “We do romantic things every day – write notes, make breakfast for each other.
Something will happen every day that is romantic.
“Some people will be going ‘yuck’ at all this…We were lucky to have wanted the same things in life – to have kids young and be adventurous.”
Becks, who has just been named Arena’s most powerful man of the year, said he was honoured to receive the title.
Read the full interview in December’s issue of Arena.