Troy University, Alabama’s third-largest public university, has opened a new dorm specifically for Christians. The Newman Center residence hall potentially can house 376 students and includes a 2,300-square-foot ministry center and activities centered around Christian life.

It’s one of a wave of new faith-centric options being offered at some universities. According to proponents, these faith-based dorms don’t interfere with religious liberty at all: It’s about giving people what they’ve asked for and providing more options.

“It is not about proselytizing, but about bringing a values-based opportunity to this campus,” says Troy’s chancellor, Jack Hawkins Jr.

Others are worried that such dorms infringe on the First Amendment.

“This is too cozy” Annie Laurie Gaylor, president of the Freedom from Religion Foundation, says. “We are very concerned about this idea of religious-based dorms. This is very insidious.” (The New York Times)

Paul Asay has covered religion for The Washington Post, Christianity Today, Beliefnet.com and The (Colorado Springs) Gazette. He writes about culture for Plugged In and wrote the Batman book God on the Streets of Gotham (Tyndale). He lives in Colorado Springs with wife Wendy and his two children. Follow him on Twitter.