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The Gospel of Will Smith

'Seven Pounds' is about a man searching for salvation. The man who plays him is searching, too.

By Allison Samuels | NEWSWEEK
Published Nov 28, 2008
From the magazine issue dated Dec 8, 2008

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  • Posted By: ChristCrucified @ 12/01/2008 2:24:35 PM

    It is quite interesting to me that people who envy followers of Christ (aka as True Christians) are always trying to imitate the One and Only True Living God. The reason Will can be in the company of all the other religions is because he has yet to find the peace in Christ. One will continue to search until they meet Jesus Christ, who is The King of Kings, Lord of Lords and the name that is above all names.

    Christians (not those that are merely professors of the faith like we see these days) are the only ones that make claim that their God is a Living God. Everyone else's god is dead or a statue etc. But in the end - EVERYONE will bow. The choice is to do it now or at the later date (however, the later date it will be too late).

    • Posted By: valark @ 12/01/2008 3:12:08 PM

      Christ is not a religion, but a personification of spirituality. Its only people who wish to divide and judge others that concern themselves with others beliefs and religions. If you are so godly, you wouldn't threaten people with consequences of not making the "right' decision. That need to have people decide is your need, not God's and not Christ's...and even if they were, they definately did not appoint you the decider.

      • Posted By: LightKeeper @ 01/31/2009 11:08:17 PM

        If there was an impending disaster and you knew about it beforehand. What would you do? Would you try and warn people that there is a disaster and lives would be lost as a consequence if they did not make it to safe ground now. Or would you mind your own business and let people find out about this disaster and deal with it when it happened? Picture being on the titanic and you had that information that could save. What would you do? Shout it to all who could hear of the iceberg or keep it to yourself?
        That is why. This life time is a short in which we decide when in eternity we want to spend our 'after' life.
        You owe it to yourself to check it out.

      • Posted By: ltnelson @ 12/18/2008 4:20:20 PM

        You would think an all powerful god could simply prove beyond all doubt that he exists rather than let his followers having to go around threatening them with torture if they refuse to buy into their "holy" book.

      • Posted By: ChristCrucified @ 12/01/2008 8:51:39 PM

        I don't make any apologies for being true my faith. Jesus is Lord and those who don't think so had better be right.

        • Posted By: BamaBoy @ 12/18/2008 3:49:08 PM

          You are just another fundi moron who thinks that they have all of the answers from a book of stories that is over 2000 years old and some of it is plagerized from other religions. I have always gotten a chuckle out of the way "true christians" like yourself love to start out a conversion with the "peace and love of the lord jesus christ" and then if that doesn't get 'em in the pews and given up their tithe then you hit 'em with the "you're gonna be sorry! You'll burn for all eternity!" blah blah blah...

  • Posted By: Just Askin' @ 12/01/2008 4:59:53 PM

    Those of you who feel something is missing in your lives should get a hobby. Forget about the paranormal and supernatural. When you are dead ~ it is game over. Stop being sheep, enjoy the days you have and live the best life you can. Religion is just a story to make you feel better. Take responsibility for your mistakes and credit for what you do well. Religion is a yoke around your neck and shoulders. Open your eyes and realize that your "religion" is just a matter of where you were born. To believe these silly myths without evidence shows how gullible you are. Religion is man made and it divides us and hardens our hearts. We would be better off without it. Peace.

    Rick

    • Posted By: withinbounds @ 12/02/2008 9:15:59 AM

      are you sure. without adoubt?

      • Posted By: LightKeeper @ 01/31/2009 10:46:23 PM

        Are you sure, without a doubt of your perspective?
        God is in the details. Look at the stars in the sky, the beauty of the rainbow in the sky, the beautiful structure of a cell under a microscope, the varied animal and sea life on this earth. Look at nature and all its variety.
        And God gave each a name.
        This did not all occur by chance because some atoms/chemicals were shaken and stirred together aeons ago and somehow gave way to life.
        Seek and you shall find. Ask and you shall receive. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones.

      • Posted By: Un*biased @ 12/18/2008 3:56:40 PM

        What evidence have you tried to find for yourself? You owe it to yourself to know for sure. The root of the word gullible/naive means to be "lacking information or instruction" and therefore believing whatever you are told. If you feel so strongly about the subject...than you of all people should not be lacking in information. Go out and investigate for yourself. Don't let someone else tell you what to or not to believe!
        Please read the book "More Than A Carpenter"....the author is trying to DISPROVE God. Read the book...and learn how to find the truth for yourself. It is very short...you could probably read it in 20min. It is a good place to start in looking for evidence.

        BTW: As long as people are their own individuals...there will be divides...with or without religions. Is religion really they only thing you have ever disagreed with another human being on...

      • Posted By: BamaBoy @ 12/18/2008 3:51:10 PM

        Rick may or may not be but I am sure. Are you sure? What about all of the other religions on the planet today? Did you pick the right one? What if YOU are wrong? Sheesh... What arrogance!

    • Posted By: DFol @ 12/18/2008 7:25:05 PM

      Ultimately there is not sufficient enough evidence to weigh in on the existence of a higher power definitively. We can only conclude that there is no evidence for his existence perceivable. Unless your an agnostic(and perhaps even then according to some), you are acting on some faith, placing belief in an unqauntifiable object. Believing that something does not exist simply because you have not found it wouldn't make it less real if it did exist. By saying you absolutely do not believe in something currently untestable like a higher power or an afterlife, you are placing an incredible amount of faith in the power of human perspective. I'm afraid I'm simply not that optomistic. Since it is impossible to know either way for sure, a little tolerance and respect for the views of others is logical. This advice would apply to all sides of debate on religion and philosophy. The human race is alone in a dark universe with very little light to show the way, co-operation is the only quantifiable tool we have.

    • Posted By: Un*biased @ 12/18/2008 4:02:53 PM

      The root of the word gullible/naive is "lacking information or instruction" and therefore believing whatever you are told. If you feel so strongly about the subject of religion, than you of all people should not be lacking information. What evidence have you found for yourself? How did you come to the belief that there is no God?
      Please read the book "More Than A Carpenter"...the author is trying to DISPROVE God. It would be a good starting point for you to begin your own investigation into the matter. You owe it to yourself, and no one else, to know for sure!

      • Posted By: Un*biased @ 12/18/2008 4:11:37 PM

        Sorry, the previous post gave me an error message and said it did not post...I guess it was wrong ;0)

  • Posted By: stacyloca2 @ 12/01/2008 6:42:32 PM

    Rick,
    You chose to come here and speak out on your ignorance, so allow me to please use the same forum to correct you :) Religion and Faith/Belief are two TOTALLY different things........
    Really, how sad you must be in your own life to come to a forum that has absolutely nothing to do with religion, just to speak your words.......
    I will pray for you :)
    oh yea, and GOD BLESS YOU RICK, he already does everyday, you're alive arent you? :)

    • Posted By: ChristCrucified @ 12/01/2008 9:01:28 PM

      Unfortunately as Christians, we are instructed that if our faith is rejected - than shake the dust and move on. We are not to have fellowship with other unbelievers. Besides, what does darkness and light have in common?

      Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of the world. Eternal life has been made available for anyone who believes.

      And by the way, I didn't come in here talking about religion. When Newsweek mocked the Gospel of Jesus Christ by labeling this blog The Gospel of Will Smith - it open up the topic.

      • Posted By: stacyloca2 @ 12/04/2008 5:38:12 PM

        You Said: You said: As Christians we are INSTRUCTED to NOT have fellowship with NON beleivers. Besides, what does darkness and light have in common?"

        You seriusly need some educating Sir/Maam. I dont even want to KNOW what kind of a Christian church you claim yourself too, but I can assure you with THAT kind of thinking......you may be a "claimed" Christian, as a Christian is ANYONE who believes that jesus was the Son of God, that leaves quite a large number of people becasue there are truly many believers, but to come on a forum PREACHING to people about the "Christian Way", well friend you are truly full of crap. What you are speaking of is NOT the "Christian Way" it is not even a NICE WAY, it makes me sick how people will place themselves ABOVE others as if they are more important becasue of what they Believe in. I am a Christian, I may not knwo the Bible thw way you CLAIM to, but I can assure you I am TEN TIMES the human being that Jesus wanted us to be than you are, becawsue I turn my back on NO human being....DID Jesus? Please take your high and mighty attitude elsewhere, like to a street corner where people will walk by and ignore your so called wisdom. I will be over here, doing as Jesus TAUGHT me to in the BIBLE, and loving ALL MANKIND, no matter what their BELIEF is.

        After all, arent we as Christians taught to go out and speak to nonbeleivers and bring them to the church and the truth? PLEASE......your rambling are no longer worthy of a response, I just felt someone needed to call you out on your twisted beliefs........Goodbye.

        • Posted By: ChristCrucified @ 12/05/2008 10:59:35 PM

          Sweetheart, read the word for yourself. It is in there. We are not to hang out or be unequally yoke with unbelievers. We are to present the Gospel and if it is refused or rejected than we are to move on. But we are not to hang out with sinners, lest ye fall in the same sin. That's the Bible sweetheart .

          • Posted By: nm56 @ 12/18/2008 4:27:06 PM

            Fellowship Biblically speaking is something that is done on a spiritual level - so fellowship is different than hanging out with our associating with people. Christians can only truly fellowship with Christians because of our spiritual oneness but it doesn't mean we avoid associating or being around unbeleivers. As one poster put it, if that were true evangelism could never take place...

            • Posted By: LightKeeper @ 01/31/2009 10:25:22 PM

              My fellow brothers and sisters in Christ, do not turn on each other and be like the people in the world who do not believe. They will eat each other up and because of their unbelief, you know where they are headed.
              With love and respect, guide each other to learn and grow, in the same way that Jesus would do.
              The following from the Bible will help to clarify some of the points being discussed.

              Mark Chapter2:v15-17 (NIV): Jesus eats and associates with sinners. From v17..."It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners".
              Luke Chapter15 - Parable of the Lost Sheep.
              Mark Chapter7:v20-22 - Yes, we have to be careful to NOT become like the people of this world.
              Mark Chaper9: v41 "I tell you the truth, anyone who gives you a cup of water in my name because you belong to Christ will certainly not lose his reward".
              Mark Chapter6:v34 - But we are to be out there having compassion.
              Mark Chapter12:v28-34 - The Greatest Commandment: 1) To love God with all your heart and 2) To love your neighbour as yourself". Note: No conditions placed. Love everyone; Inclusive not exclusive.
              Hebrews Chapter 10:v19-25-Encouragement to fellowship and how to encourage one another in Christ.
              Hebrew Chapter12:v14-A warning to everyone.
              May the Lord love you and surround you all with peace and understanding. Help one another lovingly and may you grow strong in the Lord. There will come a time when the sheep and the goats will be separated.
              Peace be with you always in Christ our Lord.







          • Posted By: BamaBoy @ 12/18/2008 3:53:12 PM

            Yea...Next you'll be encouraging young people to blow themselves up in front of abortion clinics.

      • Posted By: stacyloca2 @ 12/03/2008 6:32:37 PM

        So your going to sit here and tell me that as a Christian, you wont speak or have anything to do with someone who does not beleive in God?
        Yet the bible I have read tells ME, that Jesus said to love one another LOVE EVERYONE as we are ALL His children, whether they beleive in Him or not. Their beleifs are still THEIR beleifs, I will never think i am better than another human being simply becasue they do not beleive in what i do......
        Shame on you!!!!!

  • Posted By: LightKeeper @ 01/31/2009 9:13:57 PM

    To Dr Ogers.
    Your comments: "I am not a Muslim. I am open to the gospel of grace as opposed to the vengence of Law, Sharia, whatever you want to call it. The least I can do is not conjecture about what it takes to please God and go to Heaven. The verses in the Bible are not all as clear as we might want to think."
    Read Book of John Chapter6, verses 35-39. Your answer lies there. Believe in the Son. He will show you the way.

  • Posted By: LightKeeper @ 01/31/2009 8:58:19 PM

    Psalm 24. Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the light. Will keep strong.

  • Posted By: martialguy @ 01/07/2009 6:10:02 PM

    I think it is interesting to explore and know other religions. Thanks to the internet, you can type a search word in many encyclopedias (such as wikipedia.org) and learn with amazements.

    In scientology, it is believed that:

    * Psychiatry and psychology are destructive fields which must be abolished.

    * Spiritual beings ( thetans) live many lifetimes. Thetans lived among extraterrestrial cultures before becoming trapped in bodies on Earth. Thetans were brainwashed by these extraterrestrial cultures as a means of population control

    * Thetans have existed for ???tens of trillions??? of years. During that time, thetans have been exposed to a vast number of traumatic incidents and have made a great many decisions that influence their present state. Thetans were conditioned by extraterrestrial dictatorships such as Helatrobus in an attempt to brainwash and control the population. These early events collectively are called "space opera."

    * Xenu is the ruler of the "Galactic Confederacy." 75 million years ago Xenu brought billions of people to Earth in spacecraft, stacked them around volcanoes and detonated hydrogen bombs in the volcanoes. The thetans then clustered together, stuck to the bodies of the living, and continue to do this today. Isolating thetans and neutralizing their ill effects are neccesary.

  • Posted By: busybee16 @ 01/04/2009 6:48:22 PM

    "For me I'm certain about my relationship with the model of perfection of human life that's laid out with the life of Jesus Christ." Will you have spoken the truth.

  • Posted By: busybee16 @ 01/04/2009 6:47:03 PM

    "For me I'm certain about my relationship with the model of perfection of human life that's laid out with the life of Jesus Christ." Will acknowledges that there is only one perfect being and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Will, you are absolutely right.

  • Posted By: jlejem @ 01/03/2009 9:01:26 AM

    I'm a registered nurse (without a trust fund) Let's see, over the past 8 years I've: volunteered a week in Biloxi with Project Hope to help rebuild houses, gave out random amounts of money to people who were struggling to pay for heat and food, donated time and food to local food pantries, shovelled snow for neighbors, sent boots to Iraq, wrote letters to soldiers I didn't know, visited people who were sick, etc. Why don't the rich and famous open their eyes to the real Unites States of America, and stop blaming everything on "the last 8 years" ?

  • Posted By: JIOMIKE1 @ 12/18/2008 4:52:39 PM

    MR SMITH SAYS So whatever religion does that??? Jewish, Muslim, Scientology???it's cool because the end result is the same. HE ALSO STATES THAT WHEN PEOPLE FEAR RELIGION, THEY JUST HAVE TO GO BACK TO THE "GOOD BOOK"- iF MR. SMITH MEANS THE HOLY BIBLE WHEN HE SAYS, "THE GOOD BOOK", THEN HE WOULD KNOW THAT IN THE BIBLE JESUS SAYS, " I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, NO ONE GOES TO THE FATHER, BUT BY ME" AND THE BIBLE ALSO SAYS, "STRAIGHT AND NARROW IS THE WAY WHICH LEADS UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT"- MR. SMITH IS A GREAT ACTOR AND I STILL LOVE WATCHING FRESH PRINCE, BUT I HOPE HE READS AND STUDIES HIS BIBILE SO THAT HE CAN QUOTE IT CORRECTLY. NOT ALL WAYS LEAD TO ETERNAL LIFE WITH THE LORD.

    • Posted By: freethoughts @ 12/19/2008 4:29:42 PM

      I

    • Posted By: nimodahooligan @ 12/19/2008 9:32:07 AM

      thats because not everyone beleives in your god...ever met a hindu person? or a wiccan? or an islamist? or a buddhist? or any person of a denomination within those ways of life?

      almost every "religion" beleives in an after life or reincarnation, which in a way is an after life as well. everyone beleives in they're own maker. christianity might be the only answer for you, but to billions of others, it is not.

    • Posted By: Dee40 @ 12/18/2008 6:03:11 PM

      To JIOMIKE... AMEN and the Lord Bless you!

  • Posted By: nimodahooligan @ 12/19/2008 9:49:49 AM

    nice article... ive been a fan of will smith since i was a kid watching fresh prince.

    he always come with a great attitude and outlook, always positive and willing.

    his movies usually are quite good, hes funny, can be serious, emotional, sensitive. good guy, i met him last week when he was in minneapolis. one of the few stars i got kind of "star struck" over because i was a fan of his music, acting, and his general personality.

    hes a smart guy, speaks intelligently. kudos will!!

    and for these people that would bash on him for what he thinks or what he said within this article, keep YOUR crappy thoughts to yourself. bunch of religious whiners that can barely understand themselves much less they're religious views and books. i wont even get into it....

  • Posted By: brydges @ 12/18/2008 2:38:07 PM

    Who gives a S*** what Will Smith thinks. That's the problem with society some one is actually going to base their opinion on this mediocre celebrity. I remeber when Will Smith was just a typical Philly Kid who happened to make it big rapping. When de he become such a self righteous duesche bag

    • Posted By: nimodahooligan @ 12/19/2008 9:39:06 AM

      wow...so you know him personally to a level where you can assume hes a d-bag? i met him last week while i was performing in minneapolis, and seriously, one of the most approachable "stars" ive ever met.

      you have something wrong in your heart im afraid. he has done great things for society, bulding schools, giving back, he recently paid for some 500 dinners for the homeless shelter here in minneapolis.

      and do you have ANY idea how hard this man had to work to get where he is? probably not.

      and really? mediocre actor? every movie he stars in is a blockbuster hit around the world. if you want to talk about mediocre acting, look no further than vin deisel.

  • Posted By: JesusTruth @ 12/18/2008 6:28:16 PM

    I am so happy that Will Smith talked about Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. The only thing is that Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life--none may come to the Father except through Me." Islamists and Buddhists don't acknowlege Jesus as the son of God, so it is not the same path.

    • Posted By: nimodahooligan @ 12/19/2008 9:27:59 AM

      buddhists dont even "worship a god"

      buddha was a real man, did not come from some miraculous birth, did not have special powers of any kind. he just became enlightened to himself and the world around him. what you see as "worship" from buddhists is really just them trying to attain peace and enlightenment within themselves and how they view the world. buddhism is rife with oxymorons, paradoxs, and balance within. they dont follow a book, they dont go to a place of worship or anything.

      i think before you decide that buddhism is worshiping some deity like christianity you should research other religions before drawing conclusions. buddhist monks have done some pretty amazing things if you were to look into it....

  • Posted By: martialguy @ 12/19/2008 7:19:53 AM

    There are a lot of issues for these religious folks to..pray for; especially for education
    Parents are stripped bare of power to effectively discipline their children when they get too spoiled rotten. Juvies, and pens substituted parents' whips.
    Science and math became... geeky subjects. TV, sports, music and videogames became educators. Chidren are predominantly taught to believe the world was created almost...overnight

  • Posted By: JesusTruth @ 12/18/2008 6:54:35 PM

    You mentioned wanting to know what would please God...this is an excerpt from the book of John, chapter6, verse 28 and 29 (John 6:28-29 NKJV). "Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."

  • Posted By: JesusTruth @ 12/18/2008 6:46:56 PM

    In the book of John in the New Testament, Jesus explains who He is and how some people would believe in Him and some would not. But He is very clear that He is the Son of God, and was sent by God to offer salvation to people, that through Him they could be saved and have a new life and everlasting life. That they could be made right with God only by believing in Jesus. If you're really interested to know Jesus' position, I would read the NKJV (New King James Version)--it's easy to read.

  • Posted By: Dr. Ogers @ 12/18/2008 6:25:25 PM

    Well, look... Maybe folks understand a particular verse in a particular way, and maybe they don't. So you figure Jesus was saying that God was exclusionary based on what beliefs you might have, and maybe so, or maybe he was saying that he himself was a force in nature that exists in all religions. Myself,

    Tell you what. I don't really know that I have a good grasp on the mind of God, and if it's okay with the Christians, I'm going to assume that if God wants to exclude somebody based on their beliefs, that he'd be a bit clearer about it.

    I am not a Muslim. I am open to the gospel of grace as opposed to the vengence of Law, Sharia, whatever you want to call it. The least I can do is not conjecture about what it takes to please God and go to Heaven. The verses in the Bible are not all as clear as we might want to think.

    And why would one want to think that Jesus might exclude someone on the basis of what they believe? Well we've been taught that that's what he meant, but wouldn't we have to have our own fears and xenophobia in order to abandon the Spirit of Christ in order to follow a sectarian understanding of a verse?

    Jesus is the way, sure... so is death. No man goes to the Father except by death... that's true too.

    So let folks find their own way... let's each find our own.

  • Posted By: Dr. Ogers @ 12/18/2008 6:18:54 PM

    Well, look... Maybe folks understand a particular verse in a particular way, and maybe they don't. So you figure Jesus was saying that God was exclusionary based on what beliefs you might have, and maybe he was saying that he himself is in different religions. Tell you what. I don't really know that I have a good grasp on the mind of God, and if it's okay with the Christians, I'm going to assume that if God wants to exclude somebody based on their beliefs, that he'd be a bit clearer about it.

    I am not a Muslim. I am open to the gospel of grace as opposed to the vengence of Law, Sharia, whatever you want to call it. The least I can do is not conjecture about what it takes to please God and go to Heaven. The verses in the Bible are not all as clear as we might want to think.

    And why would one want to think that Jesus might exclude someone on the basis of what they believe? Well we've been taught that that's what he meant, but wouldn't we have to have our own fears and xenophobia in order to abandon the Spirit of Christ in order to follow a sectarian understanding of a verse?

  • Posted By: djspi @ 12/18/2008 5:26:35 PM

    JOIMIKE1 - Speaking of reading, maybe you should take a breath and re-read Smith's interview before instructing him to make sure he is reading his Bible. When Smith was speaking about whatever religion does "that", he was referring to helping the community, not the way to eternal life.

  • Posted By: djspi @ 12/18/2008 5:21:44 PM

    joimike1 - smith was referring to helping the community when he was taling about whatever religion does "that", not the way to eternal life.

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