Will Smith and his wife, Jada Pinkett-Smith, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008, according to a tax filing just obtained by this column.
The “Seven Pounds” actor contributed $60,000 to the World Literacy Crusade and $10,000 to ABLE International via his Will Smith Foundation. Each is a Scientology organization. In the past, he’s denied being a member of the group.
The $70,000 is relatively small amount in relation to a total of $1,275,699 in his total charitable donations for 2008. But it’s significant considering the criticism the Smiths have come under for the private school they’ve started in Calabasas, Calif. The New Village Leadership Academy has come under scrutiny for using Scientology teaching methods.
Over the summer, the Smiths dismissed Jacqueline Olivier, the school’s headmaster, and replaced her with Piano Foster, an educator who has completed Scientology classes.
According to its tax filing, the Will Smith Foundation --which had total assets of $182,852 last year-- pays one salary of $61,000 to Karen Evans, Jada Pinkett-Smith’s aunt. The Foundation made no contributions to New Village.
Last year, Smith donated a total of $122,000 to Scientology groups. In the past, Smith has said in interviews that Scientology, a sect founded by the late science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard, “is 98% like the Bible.”
Smith said in a 2008 television interview: “You have people who are attacking and want to fight. And don’t know nothing. How you gonna not know nothing about Scientology and attack somebody? It’s dangerous and it’s ignorant. And as an American I’m not gonna be a part of that.” In the same interview, Smith also called Scientology poster boy Tom Cruise “one of the greatest spirits that I have ever met.” You can watch the whole thing below:
September 18th, 2009 at 3:01 pm
So…
September 18th, 2009 at 4:09 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World Literacy [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 4:15 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World Literacy [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 5:06 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World Literacy [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World Literacy [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 5:20 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 7:14 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World Literacy [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 7:32 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated ,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – ,000 to the World Literacy [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 8:00 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World Literacy [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World Literacy [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 10:44 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World Literacy [...]
September 19th, 2009 at 3:05 am
The Daily News ran a story Friday the 11th about Will Smith’s school entitled “Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith Can’t Shake Their Private School’s Scientology Reputation.” After a day or two, it was removed without explanation. Anyone who doesn’t think that Scientology tries to manipulate the media hasn’t looked closely enough.
You may search google to find preserved copies of the article.
Great work, Mr Friedman.
September 19th, 2009 at 3:20 am
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World [...]
September 19th, 2009 at 3:30 am
I think Woll Smoth just doesn’t want to admit to the world that he’s a scientologist because he knows it will be a death sentence for his career.
September 19th, 2009 at 5:01 am
So the hell what??? Who gives a crap, why is it that everyone wants to be up the ass hole of these stars???? Geezzzz Religion is the gateway to tyranny in this world. It is not about religion but your spirituality, your connection to the higher power … whatever works for you. People need to stop bashing religious sects because non is better than the other. I am not of Scientology but plenty of their philosophies makes sense even when it comes to education. We need to take the faith out of religion and look at the logic. Everyone cannot be happy worshiping the same way. We each must find our own way to the creator. We each must find our own happiness in life. These celebrities lie to the press because if they are honest you guys find a way to crucify them. Nothing is private or sacred in America no more and the more you people relish in this behavior the more constricted your freedom will be one day … mark my words and those in the press, you all will be affected by this mess. Just watch and see – KARMA is a M.F..er. Making a contribution to an organization does not necessarily mean that you are of it. Charity that is all there is to it IDIOTS.
September 19th, 2009 at 5:44 am
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World [...]
September 19th, 2009 at 6:24 am
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World [...]
September 19th, 2009 at 6:46 am
A “religion” cooked up by a science FICTION writer. How much more bogus could it be?
September 19th, 2009 at 7:16 am
“I am not of Scientology but plenty of their philosophies makes sense even when it comes to education.”
Three guesses on how much of that sentence is lie.
September 19th, 2009 at 7:37 am
People give a crap because he’s a celebrity in the public eye that lies about his religion, his sexuality and his marriage. Philosophy aside, Scientology is a cult. By the way, there is no logic in religion.
September 19th, 2009 at 7:40 am
Typical American “news”.
September 19th, 2009 at 7:56 am
No one is denying Will Smith’s right to worship any religion he chooses, but before you start defending Scientology you need to research it. Scientology is NOT a religion. It is a mind control cult and it’s EXTREMELY dangerous, both physically, mentally, and financially. It has been banned in many countries throughout Europe and the so-called “educational organizations” they set up are nothing more than recruiting methods to indoctrinate children and their parents. In the age of the internet there is no excuse for anyone’s ignorance on this subject. There are videos and links all over Youtube and the internet detailing the brainwashing techniques & violent methods of this cult. It’s current leader David Miscavage, as well as it’s founder L.Ron Hubbard (who by the way, many ex-Scientologists refer to as L.Ron Hitler), are both violent, paranoid psychopaths. By donating to Scientology groups and starting Scientology schools, the Smiths are directly promoting and enabling this sick, abusive cult. But honestly, it’s not their fault, because Scientology literally brainwashes people and clearly (unfortunately) the Smith’s have fallen prey. Scientology should be banned and their tax exempt status removed.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:20 am
Anyone who says this is a religious issue should do some research. Scientology isn’t a religion. It hides behind religion to make money tax free. It’s a bookseller that peddles psycho-babble self help courses. It hypnotizes vulnerable people through “auditing” sessions and cons them out of thousands of dollars tax free.
Will Smith will regret contributing to the criminal organization known as the Church of Scientology.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:23 am
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World [...]
September 19th, 2009 at 8:38 am
Samurai Woman’s above are seriously disturbing, considering a human being needed to collect thoughts before typing them. Why does Samurai Woman’s response read as being clouded, confusing, contradictory? Any ideas?
Will Smith is stepping up in the repugnant category, even aside from his cloaked involvement with Scientology. Positioning your child as an actor in the ‘industry’ at his young age is repulsive and evidence of impaired judgment.
Ethics, y’all…
September 19th, 2009 at 8:39 am
I guess leaving money to one cult is as good as leaving it to another. Wonder if he enjoys the black box and electrodes being hooked up to his body.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Samurai,
the point is that Will Smith gave 70,000 dollars to a CRIMINAL organization. Do a little more research about Scientology
September 19th, 2009 at 9:25 am
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World [...]
September 19th, 2009 at 9:58 am
Samurai Woman I suggest you click my name and read. A LOT!
September 19th, 2009 at 10:01 am
WHOA !! So long Will Smith… it’s really sad watching a talented star slip into a cult like that. Poor brainwashed man.
September 19th, 2009 at 10:25 am
Allowing someone to hide his association with a cult enables the cult to push farther into the mainstream.
Will Smith claims not to be a Scientologist, but espouses their views and supports their goals with money and good will. Scientology can now claim support from “regular people, unassociated with Scientology,” and leverage that idea to claim the group has gained mainstream acceptance. This is a very dangerous development.
September 19th, 2009 at 11:10 am
[...] fucked up shit, like Masonry and Scientology and shit like that. This mothafucka gave $122,000 to Scientology groups last year! He has even claimed that Scientology and The Bible are 98% the same! Bull shit on [...]
September 19th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Scientology is running ads on CNN, MSNBC and TLC, to name a few. Check it out!
September 19th, 2009 at 11:39 am
hehehe…your post is rediculous. To state you do not believe in Scientology yet state that it makes so much sense….is a hypocritical statement. You say, take the faith out of religion. What the heck do you think religion is. It is faith based, as is all religions. Your post is threat based also. You sound like a very sad, very mean person, maybe you should find some faith and avoid the logic cause it doesn’t sound like it is doing you any good. Maybe you need to join this group, maybe they can help you chill out. Will Smith is a believer in Scientology or he would not have been a big contributor to it or start a school based on it’s beliefs. I could care less who is involved in it or not. To each his own. I personally find this to be a bizarre belief system, but if it causes no harm to the non believers than I have no gripes. Unlike you that posts a post that is not only rude but unfair to those that have a different point of view on the subject. Hope you have a great blessed day and peace out!
September 19th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World [...]
September 19th, 2009 at 12:17 pm
What Samurai Woman seems to be missing is that Scientology is a huge scam, founded by a mentally unbalanced liar and con man, which preys on the naive and unwary, and has ruined many lives. This makes any celebrity’s support for the Co$ a matter of public concern, no less than if they were, for instance, fronting for mobsters or terrorists.
September 19th, 2009 at 12:19 pm
Scientology isn’t a religion. L. Ron Hubbard many times admitted that he just claimed it was to avoid paying taxes on the money received from “sessions”. The deepest secrets of their “religion” are about little green men and atom bombs – very bizarre.
September 19th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
I’d agree with Samurai Woman If the article was going after Smith for Donating to a Muslim charity or a Mormon charity. The problem is Scientology is a SCAM. Most major religions have their scandals and tarnished records because of renegade sects or twisted individuals however, with Scientology its entire pretense is control of members and their money. If you think is just me hating on a “religion” go get yourself your first “audit”(believe me if you listen to your trainer it won’t be your last)and see how quickly you go bankrupt. I personally have seen someone spend over $3,000 on audits and related materials in only 4 months after their first “Free Stress Test”. Fortunately their family stepped in and had them committed because they were a schizophrenic.
ABLE International is just another one of the MANY arms of Scientology disguised as a charity. Able International “Addresses social problems through educational and rehabilitation programs. ABLE Works in the areas of Education, Drug Rehabilitation, Criminal Reform and Immorality” is part of their mission. I for one would not trust a charity to help anyone with any life changing/damaging problems when that charity belongs to a group that believes it’s perfectly fine to deny a schizophrenic their anti-psychotic medicines because it’s against the teachings of a Science Fiction writer who said the best way to make money is to invent a religion.
September 19th, 2009 at 1:12 pm
Thanks for this information. Will Smith has tried to HIDE his ties, and now financial support to the CULT of Scientology. Several countries and at least Texas are trying to get this CULT excluded from religious tax exempt status.
September 19th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
1st of all,my personal opinion of Scientology is there is no religion what so ever involved. Have you noticed how the ones with money flock to such an environmentally unsafe haven of refuge with their children no less Who cares about L.Ron Hubbard and his devoted follower’s!! Hollywood, is like an empty suit filled with delusion’s of grandeur. What happens when the lights go out and the movie is over… . Do you keep watching re-runs until one can ad-lib the entire script by heart?? Actor’s everyone of them and L. Ron Hubbard, has got some of the biggest Shark’s on his hooks. Why not open the door’s Ron and allow the world to see what fools are sitting in your parlor? The Shark Club for member’s only!! They have an incite as to who succeeds and who fails. Glory Be To God only.
September 19th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
here come the bigots, the ignorant and the just plain haters.
September 19th, 2009 at 2:55 pm
World Literacy Crusade and ABLE are murky, dishonest organizations that should be examined carefully.
September 19th, 2009 at 4:40 pm
Serving wench makes a ridiculous point. The idea that scientology which is a scam could possibly be considered a religion is ludicrous. They are a bunch of freaks and their entire scam is based on a series of tricks and cons. The gullible egomaniacal losers at the top of the hollywood money chain are deluded into acting as figureheads for this giant ponzi scheme.
September 19th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
No matter what anyone says, Scientology is a cult, NOT a religion. Plain and simple. I was a huge Will Smith fan in the past but now I will not support him in any way. These people need to stop comparing their brainwashed ideas to Christianity. It’s not even close. Stop trying to make people who are against your cult look ignorant and bad. We don’t agree with it because we know that it is wrong and we know that anyone who is a member gets brainwashed and told to do whatever they’re told.
September 19th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
Maybe we should get the tax exempt status eliminated for all the Christian Cults. They spend more time delving into politics than religion. In this country where freedom of religion is supposed to be guaranteed, who has any right to comment about what Will Smith chooses to believe and who he wants to donate his money to. Of course the Christian Right doesn’t believe in freedom of religion…talk about a cult!
September 19th, 2009 at 6:12 pm
Yes, Will — it IS 98% like the bible. Why do you think that Hubbard made it that way…?
I astounds me that anyone would want to be a follower of something written by a sci-fi author who came right out and admitted while he was alive that he was going to come up with a way to control people without their knowledge. I mean, DUH — how stupid do you have to be when a person tells you they’re going to trick you before they even try to do it?
September 19th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Samurai Woman,
I liked your response. I don’t wholly disagree with this statement: “People need to stop bashing religious sects” But, are you referring to Scientology here? Scientology is not a religious sect, it is a pedagogy, and a self-help group. I also agree that if that is where Will Smith wants to give his money, well that is his business. I think it is a dubious choice; the Scientology group is loaded already, and it is not clear where there money is going. If I were in his shoes I’d give my money somewhere else. But I’m not.
September 19th, 2009 at 8:43 pm
dude your way too jada ‘d come back to bel air
September 19th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
He’s gotta step it up to catch Bart Simpson’s voice Cartwright’s $10M.
September 19th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
World Literacy Crusade. Sounds like a good idea. If they actually use the money for helping people read, what is wrong with that?
September 19th, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Will Smith is a Scientologist and his wife is the one that got him in it. They tend to go for this type of star, the ones with closet issues. Scientology is not a religion but indeed a cult. they treat the celebrities much different but it an still lead to disaster-see John Travolta. Scientologist almost had Usher via his soon to be ex-wife but he got out of that one. It is quite easy to see that Will Smith is a Scientologist , but because of the bad press Scientologist have received as of late he cannot admit he is in. Which makes it more frightening, since it is so duplicitous. Why not admit it , if it is so great and 98% like the Bible? Their pursuit of African-Americans has been on full blast. It was pretty sad what happened to Isaac Hayes, they also have DOug E. Fresh. It was HILARIOUS to see Tom Cruise on BET with Doug E. Fresh. This is a BIG catch
September 19th, 2009 at 9:36 pm
@Samurai Woman
“I am not of Scientology but plenty of their philosophies makes sense even when it comes to education.”
Scientology’s “Study Tech” has been been debunked by many many many educators. If people would like to know more about “Study Tech” they should look up Dr. David Touretzky’s page about this awful method of teaching.
September 19th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Who cares? why does this matter!! Its simply absurd that this is even new worthy!
I for one am APPALLED
September 19th, 2009 at 10:09 pm
Hey Samurai Woman, they got their charity status through dubious means, you should read about it one day. The point about nailing these nut jobs publicly is that this group harms a lot of people with their selling of courses to get to the next level. Very much the self help scam designed for weak people. For you to whine about it being criticized, makes you the really large idiot.
September 19th, 2009 at 11:57 pm
Tom cruise is obviously barking mad but Will Smith intrigues me. He’s too sauve and also intelligent to be a puppet of the Lords of the Church. I just wonder where he’s coming from and what he sees in Cruise’s version of scientology. I’m just not buying what he says.
September 20th, 2009 at 12:23 am
[...] $122,000.00. [...]
September 20th, 2009 at 12:55 am
Will Smith is a good guy and he can donate money to whomever he wants.
If Scientology is his thing…….then good for him. I wouldn’t want someone attacking me for my religious beliefs.
Come on people…..get a life we have far more important issues to worry about…..since when did we become so petty and mean spirited?
September 20th, 2009 at 2:42 am
religion is why I’m trying to find another planet to live on
September 20th, 2009 at 4:05 am
So this guy claims he’s not a scientologist, yet he pays a small fortune to the weird cult? Has it started to dawn on the celebrities that being associated with a cult with an abusive head and the lamest plot in history is not good for their public image?
September 20th, 2009 at 4:19 am
I’ve said it for years, Scientology is NOT a church but rather an ingineous scam for separating rich, silly celebritites from their money.
September 20th, 2009 at 4:55 am
Samurai Woman – have you been living under a rock lately and haven’t picked on the fact that people and news outlets are coming down hard on scientology and those who support it are justified in doing so?
Google “scientology + fair game policy”
Google “scientology + RPF”
Google “scientology + disconnection policy”
Google exscientologykids.com and read some of the personal stories of those who grew up in this cult and then tell us if you still think your tax dollars should continue to fund this cult.
September 20th, 2009 at 5:49 am
It is true that folks express opinions on subjects they know nothing about.
So get informed.
Check out the RickRoss website.
He is a former cult-deprogrammer who has studied destructive cults and mind control groups.
A favored technique is to over stress an individuals central nervous system and then apply hypnotic induction.
Scary stuff.
September 20th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Calista, whateva! Scientologists hurt no one. I have a hard enough time rebuking Christianity, so I’m sure not going to take on Scientology. The difference between a “cult” and a supposedly legit religion is the number of folks who belong. Once upon a time Christianity was one of many cults with similar ideas and stories.
I’m sure that for personal reasons, Will and Jada don’t want to put their spiritual business on the streets. And frankly, spirituality is so complex that maybe they don’t want to commit to just one way of thinking.
Either way, if how Will donates his dough is high entertainment news, we are in deep trouble when it comes to real news. The standards continue to decline.
September 20th, 2009 at 6:36 am
Why is this an issue? What ever happened to the separation of church and state? This is Will Smith’s business and nobody else’s. The media’s witch hunt on Scientology or any faith is opportunistic and below its dignified purpose.
September 20th, 2009 at 7:15 am
They are weird humans who follow in a Jim Jones kind of world. Will they also one day take the cool aid all together and have a long rest before the space ship retrieves them to the home planet. Good by, so long don’t let the atmosphere hit you in the rear on your way out.
September 20th, 2009 at 8:53 am
Well, Calista, I don’t believe any religion should have tax exempt status. As far as calling Scientalogy a cult- ever modern religions today were called a cult at one time or another in the past and just because a religion gains acceptance from a majority within a society does not make any less a cult.
Your ignorance and intolerance are showing.
September 20th, 2009 at 8:54 am
Just another reason not to watch his movies…..
September 20th, 2009 at 9:08 am
Samurai Woman, who put the stick up your rear end? You’re the kind of sap who would fall for a new-age cult rip-off scheme, just like Travolta, Cruise, Smith and the rest. Read your own post..you contradict yourself and spout a bunch of inane thoughts like your reading from the pious book of Oprah. Get real.
September 20th, 2009 at 9:39 am
That’s a lot of money from someone who’s not a member. Hmmm….
September 20th, 2009 at 11:26 am
It’s not a cult, it’s a tax haven. You launder a couple grand in exchange for facials, foot massages, and write-offs.
September 20th, 2009 at 12:35 pm
Considering, how many people in the United States alone who are suffering, this is down right disgraceful . It’s all about “self indulgence and what matters to me, me, me!” Regardless of how ridiculous and illogical.
September 20th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
Geez, Samurai Woman, mix in some decaf.
Every time I here of scientology I think of MindHead from “Bowfinger”.
“Somebody bring me my checkbook!!”
Classic.
September 20th, 2009 at 2:41 pm
So if he was a mormon would it make a difference, thats religion is cookey also.
September 20th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
Will Smith’s syntax “You have people who are attacking and want to fight. {And don’t know nothing. How you gonna not know nothing about
Scientology and attack somebody?}
Mr. Smith may need a lesson in correct word usage.
September 20th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Well, that’s it, last Will Smith movie I’ll go see. Word Jackass comes to mind. How about fedding some homeless people instead of some rich creeps.
September 20th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
Perhaps Will should invest some of that money for English lessons for himself!
September 20th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Silly as the Europeans are in many matters, at least in this Scientology issue they are ahead of us (& US) – I think that this gross racket that the Scientology is has been already kicked off from Spain and France (Germany & Italy being in process to change their church status into business, therefore leaving them exposed to countless, and fully justified abuse & malpractice lawsuits) -
By the way, some weeks ago was a piece in LA Times about Miscagive (their Super-Duper-Cogno-Psycho Krypton guy) being sued for systematic abuse, etc. etc.. – now news reagding that yet?
Anyway, a collection of freaks big time, these Scietoloheads. (Disclaimer: I am not an ex, but I used to live in Hollywood by one of their bunkers – they’re totally scary).
September 20th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
re: Samurai Woman
For all we know it IS just charity, but when you actually research what the organization DOES with their money it’s really not charitable.
Google “Operation Snow White”
Google “Operation PC Freak Out” or “Paulette Cooper”
Google “Leader of scientology” and “Beatings”
Google “Lisa McPherson”
Google “Freewinds asbestos”
They have knowingly invited celebrities and everday people on the freewinds a “luxury” cruise boat, that has been filled with asbestos since the like the 80s and only got FORCEFULLY docked last year.
September 20th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
If it isn’t your money, then why do you care?
September 20th, 2009 at 11:21 pm
[...] to a 2008 tax filing, Will Smith and his wife, Jada, donated $70,000 to Scientology groups in 2008 via his Will Smith Foundation – $60,000 to the World Literacy [...]
September 21st, 2009 at 12:13 am
[...] health care plan? She regained her sight thanks to a tooth?!?! Are we loosing Will Smith to the dark side? Some dude tries to jack Seacrest and oh boy, hell is gonna be hot for someone. Stripper claims [...]
September 21st, 2009 at 1:38 am
I don’t understand Exactly WHAT does Tom Cruse do to help the world???? This old line if often sold to everyone. I think the friendship between the two is great (Scientology aside) and Tom Cruise does seem like a “stand-up kind of guy” – and that is all good. I don’t even necessarily think he has an absolute responsibility TO do something to “help the world” (although with him money and connections it’d would be nice) – but I cannot see that he Does do anything (unless it is Scientology-related – which is highly questionable in my mind.)
September 21st, 2009 at 7:33 am
[...] The “Seven Pounds” actor contributed $60,000 to the World Literacy Crusade and $10,000 to ABLE International via his Will Smith Foundation. Each is a Scientology organization. In the past, he’s denied being a member of the group. Read more HERE [...]
September 21st, 2009 at 10:15 am
I suggest looking up scientology on wikipedia and reading up on it. Any religious practice developed by a science fiction writer who consistently contradicted his own teachings and philosophies is questionable. More questionable is someone would give financially to such an institution. Assuming Will Smith knows anything about scientology, and I doubt he does, he wouldn’t defend any aspect of it or finance it for that matter. It’s literally a combination junk science from the 50’s and science fiction at it’s worst. Oh, and it’s been investigated, raided, penalized, etc by the FDA, the FBI and the IRS. It’s even had it’s tax-exempt status revoked at one time.
“In the course of developing Scientology, Hubbard presented rapidly changing teachings that were often self-contradictory. For the inner cadre of Scientologists in that period, involvement depended not so much on belief in a particular doctrine but on absolute, unquestioning faith in Hubbard.”
-Referenced from Wikipedia
On a final note, anyone (Will Smith) who can speak so poorly as to use two double negatives just before they drop “ignorant” into their argument is an imbecile anyway. What does it matter if he supports it? You won’t find much more than 55,000, maybe 60,000 people in this country who claim the religion anyway. The rest of us just aren’t THAT stupid.
September 25th, 2009 at 12:23 am
So to Samurai Woman… you call $122,000 to an organization that REQUIRES it’s members to pay accelerating levels of fees a “donation”?
September 26th, 2009 at 9:13 am
[...] here to read the rest: Will Smith Gives $70000 to Scientology Groups: Exclusive | The … Tags: a-tax-filing, and-his, column, pinkett-, scientology, smith, tax-filing, [...]
September 28th, 2009 at 10:04 am
how anoying
September 28th, 2009 at 9:11 pm
Don’t know enough of this cult to speak about it per sey, but why go after the Smith family for giving their own money for something they believe in, while many of those people worship a fraud spending this country into a big rat hole, trying to make this country into a third world Socialist country – with OUR MONEY.
America’s fickleness over religion is sickening, they crucified Mitt Romney because he is a Mormon, but we have president who spent 20 years in a racist “Church” and they are OK with that! Sheesh!
Leave the Smith Family alone, when they start pounding their chests yelling God **mned America then they should be approached appropriately about that.
September 29th, 2009 at 7:55 pm
Scientology is a dangerous criminal cult. Look it up. Its no secret.
Its founder, L. Ron Hubbard, back in the 1950s used to openly tell people he wanted to found a religion because it would enable him to make lots of money and escape legal scrutiny and taxes. And that’s what he did.
How did a criminal cult get to be granted tax exempt status by the American IRS? The IRS knew that Scientology was worse than merely a scam, but Sientology launched a threat and harassment campaign against IRS agents. The cultists called them at home, at 3:00 am, and hung up. Called them at home, made a death threat, and hung up. Vandalized their cars. And then they burglarized an IRS office, destroying thousands of documents. After years of this, the IRS got a truce by GIVING THE CULTISTS JUST WHAT THEY WANTED, TAX EXEMPT STATUS AS A CHURCH.
Sad that Will Smith is one of these nuts.
September 29th, 2009 at 9:07 pm
If Will Smith is “audited” enough times by Scientology, he’d have given up enough secrets about his deepest insecurities, that the “Church” can use the content of these sessions – to distort, relay, create and recreate truths and untruths abut these sessions. Beware of this Church Will and Jada……
October 26th, 2009 at 8:23 pm
To those who say”who cares” I care.If the money I spend to see will smith is spent on a cult that destroys families(disconection)and kills people(Lisa McPherson).This was the final staw for me,will smith has lost my respect and financial support until he denounces this evil Cult.
November 16th, 2009 at 10:42 am
Great, one more on the list of Hollywood people that have lost their damn minds…
January 27th, 2010 at 7:10 am
I think its great that will smith gives over 1 million dollars to charites
February 9th, 2010 at 1:20 pm
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