Scientology helped Seinfeld in comedy career

Comedian Jerry Seinfeld has credited his Scientology faith for making him a better comic.

The Seinfeld creator and star rarely talks about his connections to the controversial religion, but has opened up in a new magazine article.

He told America's Parade that a high school teacher turned him onto Scientology almost 30 years ago.

"It was interesting," he said. "Believe it or not...it's extremely intellectual and clinical in its approach to problem-solving, which really appealed to me."

Seinfeld merely dabbled with the church, that boasts Tom Cruise and John Travolta among its high-profile members, but added: "In my early years of stand-up, it was very helpful.

"I took a couple of courses. One of them was in communication, and I learned some things about communication that really got my act going.

"They (Scientologists) have a lot of very good technology. That's what really appealed to me about it. It's not faith-based. It's all technology. And I'm obsessed with technology."