Oregon Public Broadcasting

Conservative Christians haven't had real clout in the Washington legislature in a decade. But they remain a vocal minority.

Now tensions over hot-button social issues, like domestic partnerships, are escalating between conservative church groups and majority Democrats. And an email from a Democratic lawmaker is stoking the fire. Olympia correspondent Austin Jenkins explains.

The email was sent by Representative Geoff Simpson to a woman who opposes gay marriage and domestic partnerships. She had mass emailed state lawmakers with quotes from the Bible to make her case against homosexuality.

Simpson fired back with a list of counter quotes designed to show the Bible also seems to encourage polygamy and slavery. Simpson, who was raised in a Christian household, says he sent the email to make a point.

Geoff Simpson: "It points the hypocrisy of the fundamentalist Christians in focusing selectively on things that divide us rather than unite us."

But now some conservative Christians are accusing Simpson of mocking the Holy Scriptures. And what's more conservative Attorney Stephen Pidgeon says it's inappropriate for majority Democrats to tackle sweeping social change in the midst of a budget crisis.

Stephen Pidgeon: "The focus on domestic partnerships is an effort that is being undertaken now when we have a $10 billion deficit and a potentially catastrophic decline in our economy and in my opinion that appears to be a bit off the mark."

The other issue riling conservative Christians is a measure that would lead to the unionization of some Washington daycares. The Family Policy Institute of Washington warns that church-based child care centers might be forced join the left-leaning Service Employees International Union. And they want an exemption from the bill.