Will Smith is NOT a Scientologist!
Again, the two-time Oscar nominee has cleared that rumor up to Fox News columnist Roger Friedman.
The author of the 'Fox 411' daily column approached the 39-year-old 'Hancock' actor at the premiere of 'Lakeview Terrace,' which Smith produced with partner James Lassiter, and asked him was he a Scientologist.
"I am not," he told Friedman.
Will Smith Pictures
Actors Will Smith (R) and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive to attend the premiere of the film "Lakeview Terrace" in New York September 15, 2008. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Actor Will Smith (L), his wife and actress Jada Pinkett Smith (C), and Caleb Pinkett arrive to attend the premiere of the film Lakeview Terrace in New York September 15, 2008. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
Actors Will Smith (R) and Jada Pinkett Smith arrive to attend the premiere of the film "Lakeview Terrace" in New York September 15, 2008. REUTERS/Lucas Jackson (UNITED STATES)
Reuters
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Producer James Lassiter and actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith attend the "Lakeview Terrace" premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square on September 15, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith attend the "Lakeview Terrace" premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square on September 15, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Actors Will Smith, Jada Pinkett Smith and Caleb Pinkett attends the "Lakeview Terrace" premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square on September 15, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Getty Images
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 15: Actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith attend the "Lakeview Terrace" premiere at the AMC Lincoln Square on September 15, 2008 in New York City. (Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Actress Jada Pinkett Smith and producer Will Smith attend the premiere of "Lakeview Terrace" in New York on Monday, Sept. 15, 2008. (AP Photo/Peter Kramer)
AP
Producer James Lassiter, Actress Jada Pinkett Smith and Actor Will Smith attend the premiere of "Lakeview Terrace" at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater on September 15, 2008 in New York City.."Lakeview Terrace" New York Premiere.AMC Lincoln Square.New York, NY United States.September 15, 2008.Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage.com..To license this image (55747591), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
Producer James Lassiter, Actress Jada Pinkett Smith and Actor Will Smith attend the premiere of "Lakeview Terrace" at the AMC Lincoln Square Theater on September 15, 2008 in New York City.."Lakeview Terrace" New York Premiere.AMC Lincoln Square.New York, NY United States.September 15, 2008.Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage.com..To license this image (55747591), contact WireImage.com
WireImage.com
I thought I put that erroneous story about Smith and family converting to Scientology to rest on April 22 when I reported on the 'Tom Joyner Morning Show' that Smith and his wife, actress Jada Pinkett Smith had invited their Hollywood friends to a 'Family & Friends Day' at their church, Living Waters of the San Fernando Valley in Encino, Calif.
In addition, I also reported in my Feb. 27 column, 'Tinseltown Takeover: Jawn Murray's Inside Track To Oscar Week' that when Pinkett was be 
ing honored during 'Essence' magazine's Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon, she openly thanked God – not Scientology – numerous times for helping her overcome her hard-knock beginnings and guiding her rise to stardom in Hollywood, all while über-Scientologist Tom Cruise, who presented her, and wife Katie Holmes sat in the audience.
Nonetheless, stories about the Smith's involvement in Scientology have persisted because they funded a school in suburban
"You can take different parts of things you like and put them all together," the Philly-bred
In addition, there was news that the charismatic actor had given a press conference for a group called Anonymous that protests Scientology.
"Not exactly a press conference," he explained to Friedman. "But I did talk to them."
I interviewed Smith myself 
at the Four Seasons Los Angeles at
"I studied Islam for 'Ali,' I grew up in a Baptist household, I went to a Catholic school. I've studied Buddhism and Hinduism and I've studied Scientology through Tom. And nobody's saying anything different! But in all of the experiences I've had with Tom and Scientology, like, 98 percent of the principles are identical to the principles of the Bible. The Bible says, Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. And you know, there's a Scientology principle: Do not create experiences for others that they cannot comfortably perceive," he offered.
Earlier this year, Smith dealt with the matter further in an interview with the 'New York Daily News.'
"You don't have to be Jewish to be a friend of Steven Spielberg. You don't have to be a Muslim to be a friend of Muhammad Ali. And you don't have to be a Scientologist to be a friend of Tom Cruise," he declared, before adding: "I am a Christian. I am a student of all religions. And I respect all people and all paths."
I guess that clears that up!
1. Dang. Fox is really showing their true colors, aren't they?
Black Sunshine at 8:57PM on Sep 16th 2008