Add Will Smith to the list of celebrities duped into endorsement Scientology by rockstar-level perks and star treatment not afforded the members who end in forking over their life savings and all free will to the harmful cult. There are even rumors that along with giving celebrities free vacations and catering to their every whim, Scientology pays heavily for the priceless endorsements given by high-level stars.

While not admitting that he’s a current member of the cult, Will Smith gives an implicit endorsement to them. He compares Scientology to the Bible in a new interview with Men’s Vogue. He shows that he has little understanding of Scientology by saying “like 98 percent of the principles [of Scientology] are identical to the principles of the Bible”

Fox News says that Smith is “coming out” as a Scientologist, but while he gives them a raving endorsement he minces words a little, never directly admitting that he’s a member. He says “in all of the experiences I’ve had with Tom and Scientology,” suggesting he’s a dabbler doing a favor to Tom in mentioning it, and isn’t a full blown follower of the cult. So, like Jerry Seinfeld, maybe he’s just saying stupidly that it’s A-OK with him but that he isn’t currently involved with it:

Smith admits in the issue of Men’s Vogue on sale Tuesday that he has studied Scientology with Tom Cruise and doesn’t disagree with its basic tenets.

In doing so, he finally “comes out,” joining Cruise, John Travolta, Kirstie Alley and a handful of other Hollywood types in their devotion to this controversial religion.

For a long time, Smith has denied joining the Church of Scientology with his wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, explaining that it would go against the beliefs of his late grandmother. But for some time, insiders in Hollywood have insisted the Smiths were, indeed, brought in by Cruise.

Smith concedes that his kids are being home-schooled, just as are those of Cruise, Travolta and other Scientologists.

In the article, Smith refers to “Thetans,” who are space aliens in the vernacular of Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

“… 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,” Smith tells Men’s Vogue writer Hudson Morgan.

“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 continues: “The Bible talks about your spirit being immortal, that you were created for existence beyond your physical body. Well, that’s no different from Scientology. I don’t think that because the word someone uses for ‘spirit’ is ‘thetan’ that the definition becomes any different.”

[From FoxNews.com via The Huffington Post]

By acting like Scientology is this benign religion, celebrities are doing their part to help dupe countless people into trying it. It’s a harmful cult that stops at nothing to discredit and harass anyone that dares question their illogical, sneaky, and cruel tactics. It’s not a religion, nor do it’s teachings have more than a superficial resemblance to the bible. And unlike the Bible, which is free and available to all, the Scientologists have gone to great pains to hide their central beliefs, holding out on their version of the origins of mankind and what will happen at the end of the world until members reach the highest levels, which take years of study and tens of thousands of dollars.

Scientology was started by a failed drug addict science fiction writer whose express purpose was to get rich by bilking people. Will Smith may make a living out of pretending to slay evil-doers, but he’s sure stupid enough in his personal life to do their bidding. Maybe good will prevail in the end and Will Smith will denounce Scientology, but they probably have enough dirt on him to make that very difficult for him.

Update: US Weekly notes that Smith lumps Scientology in with more established legitimate religions in that same interview, saying “I’ve studied Buddhism and Hinduism, and I’ve studied Scientology through Tom [Cruise].” So he’s not saying that he’s a member, just that he tried it. They also note that his wife, Jada, is “more gung-ho about Scientology than Will.”

Tom Cruise and Will Smith are shown at the Lions for Lambs premiere on 11/1/07, thanks to PRPhotos.