Will Smith to Anonymous: I am NOT a Scientologist

"I am not a Scientologist," Smith told Anonymous in response to concerns that his new school would be used as an indoctrination tool for the Church of Scientology. Many have jumped to conclusions about Smith's involvement in Scientology, largely due to his public friendship with actor Tom Cruise and the couple's large donations to Scientology-based charities such as the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project. Smith has refuted any claims of participation in either Auditing or Purification, both critical components of Scientology.

Smith went on to explain that, while he has witnessed impressive results from Study Tech within his own family, he will not allow his school to be used as a tool for Scientology. "If Scientologists or anybody tells me how to run my school, I'll just do this," he laughed, making an elbowing gesture. The actor began using the Study Tech methods for home schooling his children and has worked with faculty members to adapt those methods for use at NVLA.

A primary concern of Anonymous is that schools which use Study Tech must pay licensing fees to the Church of Scientology. "This revenue stream is one of the many sources of income which the Church of Scientlogy uses for such tactics as invoking frivolous lawsuits and hiring private investigators to intimidate critics", one member explained. "It is much like buying blood diamonds."

While unable to definitively say that NVLA is making no payments to Scientology, Smith did promise to research and verify the information. He then explained that he does not wish to pay a licensing fee to anyone because of his desire to maintain complete control over the teaching methods used at NVLA, an option not typically offered to licensees of Scientology "technology".

Anonymous members point to an evaluation of Study Tech done by Carnegie Mellon professor Dr. David S. Touretzky, which concluded that the allegedly non-secular Study Tech cites the same religious works otherwise used within the organization but with the word "Scientology" systematically removed. "There is no reputable educator anywhere who endorses [study technology]," said Touretzky, a vocal critic of Scientology. "What happens is that children are inculcated with Scientology jargon and are led to regard L.R. Hubbard as an authority figure. They are laying the groundwork for later bringing people into Scientology."

Anonymous provided Smith with information about forced labor camps (RPF), Disconnection and Fair Game, as well as founder Hubbard's less than spotless background which has since been whitewashed by Scientology, along with links to informational sites such as www.exscientologykids.com and www.studytech.org.

Anonymous demonstrators were pleased that they were able to discuss their concerns and issues with Smith, but remain vigilant. "We appreciate Will's interest in our efforts and his openness in speaking with us directly. It shows his concern both as a parent and educator. Anonymous is hopeful that NVLA will take the great strides necessary to correct for the deficiencies in Scientology's Study Tech, or abandon them altogether. We will be keeping an eye on the situation to make sure that NVLA lives up to the goals Will Smith has for it, which include keeping the Church of Scientology out of the classrooms."

Project Chanology is an ongoing campaign against the abuses of the Church of Scientology by the collective known as Anonymous. An info package has been created and is available for download at http://img1.anonbw.com/press/GoldInfoPack.pdf ; For more information, see http://www.whyweprotest.net , http://www.unfairgame.net or http://www.enturbulation.org

For information on September's campaign, visit http://www.schoolsclosed.org and http://www.studytech.org

To learn about the Church of Scientology's mistreatment and exploitation of children please see http://www.ExScientologyKids.com - a website to support young men and women who have left the Church.