[YouTube]Will Smith

In 1997, an open letter to then-German Chancellor Helmut Kohl, published as a newspaper advertisement in the International Herald Tribune, drew parallels between the "organized oppression" of Scientologists in Germany and Nazi policies espoused by Germany in the 1930s.[68][69] The letter was signed by Dustin Hoffman, Goldie Hawn and a number of other Hollywood celebrities and executives

On January 14 2010 23:00 Jawa~ wrote:
Cool Video. My friend saw this a couple of months ago and really applied it hardcore since then -- he's accomplished a lot physically and mentally because of it.

7mk this video has nothing to do with religion so keep it out of it.

To completely disregard the many points this very successful man expresses in this video because of what you think is a stupid/inferior religion is ridiculous. What if he was Christian/Muslim/Atheist whatever YOU believe, and he said the same things? Would it make them "more" true to you?

On January 14 2010 22:16 7mk wrote:
Huh I was sure that Will Smith was a scientologist since he used to speak very positively about it and his wife is in scientology
But apparently he distanced himself from it september 2008


Ha did you know this


Damn I always thought Hoffman was a smart man

On January 14 2010 21:25 7mk wrote:
"Be willing to die for the truth"
Yes, Mr. Smith, please become a martyr to persuade us all that the world was created by some strange alien and we need to give him all the money in the world to save ourselves

Too bad really, it's a very nice message he has there, where did he go so wrong

On January 15 2010 03:14 chaoser wrote:

How is that any different from the middle ages when people paid penitence during confessions to rid them of their sins so they can be "saved".

On January 15 2010 03:19 sassy wrote:
damn 7mk, huge fail there. A lot of people dismiss positive information due to their inability to comprehend or accept things out of their casual circle. Even more jump to silly conclusions before even going through the topic..

On January 14 2010 21:46 alffla wrote:
that was sweet lol

7mk haha what?

On January 15 2010 03:36 7mk wrote:
lol tell me what exactly I didn't comprehend, tell me more about how great scientology is, or whatever the hell you meant by that

On January 15 2010 05:09 Zilver wrote:


When the fuck did anyone say anything about scientology, except you?

On January 15 2010 03:14 chaoser wrote:


you know, i use to rag on Scientology all the time but after reading what some people wrote in this thread I've started to wonder, what IS the difference between it and "established" religions besides the fact that the other ones are older. Ok in Scientology one pays money to be saved by an alien. How is that any different from the middle ages when people paid penitence during confessions to rid them of their sins so they can be "saved". What's the difference between believing an alien will save everyone and believing an all powerful being in the sky will do it?

On January 15 2010 16:05 keepITup wrote:
Yeah, setting unrealistic dreams isn't the best thing to do...

The current won't always flow around you, sometimes it's too strong.

but yeah will smith is my favorite actor and the guy is awesome as a person as well

On January 15 2010 16:14 KrAzYfoOL wrote:


So what you're suggesting is because there's a chance of failure that you shouldn't even bother trying? :/

On January 15 2010 16:14 KrAzYfoOL wrote:


So what you're suggesting is because there's a chance of failure that you shouldn't even bother trying? :/

On January 15 2010 15:53 {88}iNcontroL wrote:
I know for the most part I am missing the point of the video which is just trying to empower and reach people who are generally cathartic and nihilistic.

On January 15 2010 15:53 {88}iNcontroL wrote:
Really nice to see someone who is so enthusiastic about life and speaking about good things like making choices, taking responsibility, caring for others etc etc.. no need for science or religion in that context just being a GOOD person.

I like that.

But I didn't necessarily like a lot of what he said on a nit-picky level. Again, it was all good stuff but the message rubs me a bit wrong. I'm sure if I had the opportunity to sit down and chat with Mr. Smith this would all be discussed out and my opinion would be changed.. in fact I am sure it is just the way it is given the video is a snippit of a bunch of conversations.

That being said..

Consider first the speaker. Will Smith is married to a gorgeous actress wife. He has a son or two. He lives a privileged life. I think it is easy for a man in his position to say "make choices and the universe will bend around you like water." He is usually in a position to 'make choices.' There are others who couldn't if their life depended on it. And I'm sure he would say, "nah they certainly can!" well no, some people have to choose between feeding themselves and getting the medecine that will slow the growth of their cancer.. that isn't a choice at all. And we can even go another level and say, "they could make the best of it, and be an inspirational example!" yes, but I think that gets away from the message of will smith's video.

I know for the most part I am missing the point of the video which is just trying to empower and reach people who are generally cathartic and nihilistic. I guess it just rubs me the wrong way when people see a spectrum and scream that one end is the right one and everything else is wrong.. I feel like the words "everything in moderation" ring pretty true. It is good to make choices, feel empowered and desire to control the universe so to speak.. but it is also ok with feeling like we are small and being humble that way.

On January 15 2010 20:13 nebffa wrote:


Yep and do you think he got to where he is by coasting through life? He made his choices to get where he is now. People make choices to get where they are now. Yes you can take (pretty extreme) examples like medicine for cancer or food, but that's kind of missing the point of his what Smith says. He's talking more about people's tendency to say "I can't" rather than "I can".

I see this a LOT in school and at university. So many people telling themselves they can't be smart and will never be smart. When everyone can, if they put in the effort (a lot of effort, but still).