Despite what Stephen Colbert says in the video above, Will Smith has not confirmed that he’s a Scientologist (nor has he denied it, of course). All that happened was that, according to the Daily News, Will Smith distributed cards promoting the Church of Scientology personality tests. Now, that may sound like Smith is attempting to recruit people, which isn’t something that a non-member would necessarily do, but the I Am Legend star has only so far claimed to be a “student of world religion” and has only really proven himself to be a good friend to Tom Cruise and a non-committed supporter of this particular religion (including donating thousands of dollars to Scientology programs).

So if Scientology is but one of the many world religions Smith is a fan of, where is the news that he’s handing out bibles and other religious promotional materials? Well, even if he was doing that, the news would still highlight this event because of how the media treats Scientology. Actually, I’m surprised the story hasn’t been covered more widely than it has been. Could it be that the media companies don’t want such potentially career-damaging news to be covered because they depend on Smith to save their Hollywood-centered butts? After all, Smith is currently the second biggest movie star in terms of box office gross, and it would be a shame if he suddenly became the sort of box office poison that Tom Cruise is now considered to be.

But would it actually hurt Smith to admit he’s a Scientologist? Remember that Cruise was an admitted Scientologist long before he damaged his image. He hurt himself by going crazy, and unfortunately he made people associate his strange behavior with his religious beliefs. Scientology didn’t damage Cruise’s appeal, nor did it hurt John Travolta’s. Travolta’s career has had its ups and downs, but every one of his hits, from Saturday Night Fever to Hairspray, has come out since he became a Scientologist in 1975. It wasn’t Scientology that hurt beloved yet barely watched TV shows like Parker Lewis Can’t Lose (starring Scientologist Corin Nemec) and Arrested Development (starring Scientologist Jeffrey Tambor); plenty of Scientologists, including Jason Lee, Kirstie Alley, Jenna Elfman, both Christopher and Danny Masterson (in separate shows) and Leah Remini have all had long-running programs despite their religious beliefs.

The National Post has outlined (in jest) all the subliminal Scientology references in your movies (and TV show), Smith, so why not just come out and admit you’re a member. Don’t worry, we won’t judge you, and we’ll even keep going to your awesome blockbuster movies.