The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) of America is an organization that works to promote Hinduism among transplanted Hindis and to educate others about the religion. Its president is Abhaya Asthana. It is based in Houston, Tex.

The Vedic Foundation is a nonprofit that works “to re-establish the greatness of Hinduism.” The foundation, which is based in Austin, Texas, was a major plaintiff in the California textbook controversy.

Forward in Faith North American was organized in 1999 largely in response to the debates over sexuality issues. Its web site includes a listing of member parishes around the country. Executive director Michael Howell can be emailed through the FiFNA contact page.

Jeffrey J. Kripal is a professor of religious studies at Rice University in Houston. His specialty is Asian religions in America, and he focuses on European and American translations or adoptions of Hindu ideas and practices. He wrote a chapter on Adi Da for Gurus in America and has published five books concerning religious mysticism.

The Rev. William K. McElvaney is professor emeritus of preaching and worship at Southern Methodist University’s Perkins School of Theology in Dallas. He is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and former president of St. Paul School of Theology in Kansas City, Mo. McElvaney has been a leading voice on issues of social […]

Dr. Mark Lowery is a professor of theology at the University of Dallas, an independent Catholic school in Irving, Texas. Lowery has written extensively on the traditional Christian view of sexuality.

William B. Lawrence is a professor of American church history and dean of the Perkins School of Theology at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. He is an ordained elder in the United Methodist Church and has expressed concern that the debates over homosexuality could lead to lasting schisms.

A Jan. 25, 2011, blog post at Christianity Today‘s website detailed how a number of church-based anti-trafficking groups planned to combat the sex trade during the run-up to Super Bowl XLV in Dallas. The groups included Traffick911 and Love 146. And Christian Brothers Investment Services, an investment firm that works with 1,000 Catholic institutions, pressured Dallas hotels to help battle the sex trade.

Austin New Church of Austin, Texas, is involved in the fight against human trafficking.