"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.

The comments drew immediate fire from others in the capital, including the Republican lawmaker who sponsors Drollinger's Bible study group.

Drollinger said "progressive religious tolerance" is an offense against God and causes harm to its practitioners.

He said the other Bible study group was perpetrating a "deadly lie" by presenting Jesus as "a good moral teacher who loves everyone without distinction."

Assembly Republican leader Mike Villines, who sponsors Drollinger's Bible study group, said the differing approach between the two groups should not be a cause of conflict between them.

"I was very, very uncomfortable with the comments, and I don't agree with them," Villines, a Republican from the Fresno area community of Clovis, told The Associated Press.

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

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

Steinberg acknowledged that Drollinger has a right to free speech. But he said the minister should be more respectful toward differing views within the Capitol.

"There's just no place in civil society for intolerance of someone's different beliefs," Steinberg said. "It's the beauty of this country, that people have the right to practice their own faith."

Drollinger has held Capitol Bible study for more than a decade. He is not paid by the state, but Capitol Ministries pays him $120,000 a year to minister to politicians across the country.