Just because you’re friends with Tom Cruise, doesn’t mean you’re a Scientologist.

So says Will Smith, who’s denying recent reports – including Radar magazine’s April cover story – which claim he’s been increasingly involved with the controversial religion.

“You don’t have to be Jewish to be a friend of Steven Spielberg. You don’t have to be a Muslim to be a friend of Muhammad Ali. And you don’t have to be a Scientologist to be a friend of Tom Cruise,” the actor told the New York Daily News Tuesday.

“I am a Christian,” the 39-year-old added. “I am a student of all religions. And I respect all people and all paths.”

WENN