Conservatives criticize Colorado gay bill

DENVER — Some fellow conservatives are criticizing Focus on the Family founder James Dobson for supporting proposed Colorado legislation to give same-sex couples limited legal protections.

The proposal would smooth the way for any two people who cannot marry to register for rights to hospital visits, making medical decisions for each other and property transfers. These rights are already available to two persons but they need lawyers to prepare paperwork.

The bill, filed by a Republican opponent of gay rights, competes with a Democratic domestic partnership measure that covers gay couples and, critics say, would treat gay couples essentially the same as married couples under the law.

Dobson said he believes in equality under the law but doesn't want to redefine marriage.

He told his daily radio audience, "I'm used to getting beaten from the radicals, from the left. … I really find (it) very difficult to be attacked in such an unfair way from conservatives who claim to follow the cause of Christ."

One critic, Paul Cameron of the Colorado Springs-based Family Research Institute, said Dobson has "come off the tracks" in backing the bill.

Religious group pushes for meetings in public libraries

SAN FRANCISCO — A Christian group told a 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals panel that prohibiting it from using a public library room for prayer meetings is discriminatory and violates free speech rights.

Faith Center Church Evangelistic Ministries is suing over a Contra Costa County policy that prohibits religious activities in libraries. It held one "prayer, praise and worship" service last year at the Antioch library before the county banned further meetings.

Judge Richard Paez asked county attorneys why groups like Narcotics Anonymous are allowed when their meetings often involve prayers, discussion of figures like Jesus and help from a "higher power."

Kelly Flanagan, a county attorney, said there's a difference between informal discussions about religion and religious services, which should be banned in public buildings because that would subsidize religion.

The 9th Circuit is reviewing a lower federal judge's decision that blocked the county from discriminating against religious groups on library use.

Iowa prison religion program dispute goes to federal judge

DES MOINES, Iowa — Arguments have concluded in a closely watched church-state case over whether Iowa's Christian prison program is unconstitutional and should end.

The InnerChange Freedom Initiative at Newton Correctional Facility houses inmates in a special unit and enrolls them in a program of immersion in Christian values in order to improve behavior, reduce recidivism and protect public safety.

Kansas, Minnesota and Texas have similar programs.

Attorney Alex Luchenitser, representing Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, sued in U.S. District Court in Des Moines, saying the program seeks converts and requires participation in religious activities.

Lawyers for the Iowa Department of Corrections and Prison Fellowship Ministries, which sponsors InnerChange, said inmates participate voluntarily. Deputy Attorney General Gordon Allen said "this is a program that works … and it works constitutionally."

Anthony Troy, representing Prison Fellowship, disputed a claim that InnerChange excludes inmates who aren't Christian. "Inmates of all faiths and no faiths are welcome," Troy said.

U.S. District Judge Robert Pratt heard testimony in the case last fall.

Mass. cool to Catholic bid for gay adoption exemption

BOSTON — Gov. Mitt Romney and a top legislator say the state's Roman Catholic bishops are unlikely to win exemptions so church social service agencies aren't forced to place adoptive children with gay couples.

Romney told The Boston Globe he's not authorized to grant such exemptions. State Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty, House chairman of the joint judiciary committee, said he respects the church's position but would oppose exemptions from anti-discrimination laws for a social agency that contracts with the state.

The archbishop of Boston and bishops of Fall River, Springfield and Worcester plan to have lawyers explore strategies for opting out of gay adoptions.

Catholic Charities in Boston had made 13 out of 720 placements the past 20 years with gay couples to comply with anti-discrimination laws, all with "hard to place" foster children. The Catholic Charities board voted unanimously in December to continue letting gays adopt.

—— Federal judge backs Christian school on dismissing unwed pregnant teacher

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — The decision by a Christian school to fire an unwed pregnant teacher has been upheld by a judge who ruled the school is exempt from federal pregnancy discrimination law.

U.S. District Judge William Acker Jr. said Tessana Lewis' pregnancy was a motivating factor in her firing but Covenant Classical School in Trace Crossing, as a religious institution, is exempt and can hire and fire based on its beliefs.

Lewis also lost her bid to win damages of $15,000 for mental anguish as a jury suggested.

School lawyers said Lewis was fired not over pregnancy but sex outside marriage, which violates Covenant's Bible-based principles.