Evangelical chaplain criticizes California legislators

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- God is disgusted with California legislators -- at least some of them, according to an evangelical chaplain who ruffled feathers this week in the same Capitol where he leads Bible studies for lawmakers.

Ralph Drollinger, who played basketball at UCLA in the 1970s and now heads Capitol Ministries, criticized lawmakers who participate in a separate fellowship group that embraces people of all faiths without insisting that they accept Jesus Christ as Messiah.

"Although they are pleasant men in their personal demeanor, their group is more than disgusting to our Lord and Savior," Drollinger wrote on the Capitol Ministries' Web site.

Drollinger, who has conducted Capitol Bible sessions for more than a decade, receives no compensation from the state. He is paid $120,000 annually by the nonprofit Capitol Ministries for evangelizing to politicians nationwide, records show.

Sen. Darrell Steinberg, a Sacramento Democrat who will serve as Senate president pro tem next year, called Drollinger's statements "intolerant," "troubling" and "deplorable."

"I think it's important that those of us who find those comments offensive speak loud and clear about it," Steinberg said.

Drollinger, through an aide, declined to elaborate on his written comments.

Assemblyman Rick Keene, a Chico Republican who sponsors the fellowship group criticized by Drollinger, said, "we feel that we're doing what God wants us to do -- and I'm sure he does, too."

The Rev. James Richardson, an Episcopalian who serves as Senate chaplain, said Drollinger's beliefs "represent only one segment of religious thought" and "there are other ways to be Christian."

"I deeply respect his fervent beliefs," Richardson said. "But I also respect the many different people in our Capitol. And all of us would do well to listen to each other once in a while, and not just draw hasty conclusions."

Reach Jim Sanders at jsanders(at)sacbee.com. For more stories visit scrippsnews.com