Dean R. Hoge was a professor of sociology at Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. His books include, as co-author, Pastors in Transition: Why Clergy Leave Local Church Ministry (Eerdmans, 2005). Read a 2003 speech he co-authored, posted by Pulpit & Pew.

Dr. Sidney Wolfe is a senior adviser and co-founder of the Health Research Group, one of Public Citizen’s five policy groups. Public Citizen is a nonprofit public interest group in Washington, D.C. Contact Angela Bradbery, director of communications.

James E. Dittes is a professor emeritus of pastoral counseling at Yale University in New Haven, Conn., and has researched clergy calling. His books include, as author, Re-Calling Ministry (Chalice Press, 1999).

Kyle Roberts is executive director of the Congregational Library in Boston and the author of Evangelical Gotham: Religion and the Making of New York City, 1783-1860.

The New York Times has gathered basic information and an archive of its stories regarding atheism on a “Times Topics” page.

Freethoughtpedia is an online repository of information and commentary about the freethought movement. As with any open-source site, reporters should confirm anything found there before using it in stories.

Beliefnet’s page on secular philosophies includes a number of forums and features for nonbelievers.

BBC’s atheism page gives an overview of the movement and information on its history, rites and rituals.

Kenneth Kaitin is director of the Tufts Center for the Study of Drug Development in Boston.