An explanation of Scientology beliefs and practices can be found in “Scientology: The Marks of Religion,” which was written by Frank Flinn, an adjunct professor of religious studies at Washington University in St. Louis.

The Religious Movements Homepage Project provides extensive information and links on Scientology.

Peter Laarman of Los Angeles is executive director of Progressive Christians Uniting and an ordained United Church of Christ minister. He is editor of the just-published Getting on Message: Challenging the Christian Right from the Heart of the Gospel (Beacon Press, 2006) and knows a lot of other groups active on this subject.

Rabbi Yossi Feintuch is the rabbi of Congregation Beth Shalom in Columbia, Mo. He is a vegetarian and often discusses a plant-based diet as a Jewish ideal.

Jewish Veg is the Web site of Jewish Vegetarians of North America. It is dedicated to promoting vegetarianism among Jews by linking it to Halakhah (Jewish law). Richard Schwartz is the president of Jewish Vegetarians of North America, which is based in Newport News, Va. Contact through the website.

The Society of Ethical and Religious Vegetarians promotes a plant-based diet in the belief that vegetarianism is consistent with religious teachings. Its pamphlet on vegetarianism and world religions traces support for a plant-based diet in religious scriptures and teachings. Stephen Kaufman is coordinator.

All-creatures.org promotes veganism, vegetarianism and a “cruelty-free lifestyle” based on Judeo-Christian teachings and ethics. It is run by the Mary T. and Frank L. Hoffman Family Foundation and is based in Athens, N.Y.

The Christian Vegetarian Association promotes the practice of vegetarianism as a Christian principle. It is based in Cleveland and has a British chapter as well.

The Christian Bowhunters of America is based in Greenville, Ohio, and promotes Christianity among bowhunters. Its statement of faith includes biblical verses that it says support hunting. It maintains a list of chapters nationwide.