Scientology sceptic Will Smith

Dec 4, 2007, 12:30 GMT

US actor Will Smith EPA/FRANCK ROBICHON

Will Smith has distanced himself from Scientology.

The 'I Am Legend' star and his wife Jada Pinkett Smith were introduced to the bizarre sci-fi cult by friend Tom Cruise, but Will has chosen not to become a follower.

He said: "I don't necessarily believe in organised religion.

"I love my God, my higher power, but it is mine and mine alone, and I create my connection, and I decide how my connection is going to be. I believe that my connection to my higher power is separate from everybody's.

"I don't believe Muslims have all the answers and all the beliefs. I don't believe Christians have all the answers and beliefs, or that Jews have all the answers."

Despite his scepticism, Will - whose wife Jada is still believed to be an active member of the Church of Scientology - insists everybody has the right to believe whatever they want.

The 39-year-old actor added to US TV show 'Access Hollywood': "I was introduced to Scientology 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 per cent the same ideas of Scientology, 98 per cent the same ideas of Hinduism and Buddhism.

"When I sit and I talk with Tom, he is one of the greatest spirits that I've ever met - someone who is committed to making the world better.

"You have people who are attacking and want to fight that don't know nothing - how you going to 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?"

(C) BANG Media International