In 1976, L. Ron Hubbard wrote an essay titled, “Religious Influence in Society,” in which he described the Scientology Volunteer Ministers movement in the following terms:
A
Volunteer Minister does not shut his eyes to the pain, evil and
injustice of existence. Rather, he is trained to handle these things
and help others achieve relief from them and new personal strength as
well.
“A Scientology Volunteer Minister fulfills the definition of religion in this increasingly cynical and hopeless world.”