Bachmann, Dobson to advise Trump on faith

Former Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn.

Two firebrands in the community of evangelical Christians, former Rep. Michele Bachmann and Family Talk radio founder James Dobson, have been included in a special faith advisory panel announced Tuesday by presumptive GOP presidential nominee Donald Trump.

Trump's campaign said the board will provide advisory support on issues important to evangelical Christians and other people of faith.

The board also will lead "a much larger Faith and Cultural Advisory Committee" that will be announced later this month, the campaign said.

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The campaign said the appointments are an expression of Trump's desire to have access to wise counsel, not necessarily an endorsement of Trump by the individual Christian leaders.

All you need to know about the attacks on marriage is in "Takedown: From Communists to Progressives, How the Left has Sabotaged Family and Marriage," by Paul Kengor.

Bachmann served four terms in Congress representing Minnesota before she retired. But she has never backed away from her support of Christian values and was mocked by President Obama for her expressions of faith.

Bachmann had criticized Obama for his support of a framework agreement with Iran that she says will lead to war and bring judgment on America.

Obama took her to task in a mocking tone.

"Michele Bachmann actually predicted I would bring about the biblical end of days," Obama told the correspondents at a Washington event, who erupted in laughter. "Now that's a legacy. That's big. I mean Lincoln, Washington, they didn't do that."

Bachmann had made her comments about Obama in an interview with Jan Markell of Olive Tree Ministries on her show, "Understanding the Times."

Bachmann was unfazed by Obama's snarky comeback.

"The Bible is filled with exciting information about living life today and in the future, both in this life and in the life to come," Bachmann told WND. "Any message that brings people closer to God's wonderful plans for our lives is a good thing.

"God's word is true and brings freedom and wholeness to all who read it and believe in Him."

When the progressive media heard Obama's mocking of Bachmann, it heaped more invective on the former congresswoman.

Shawn Drury, senior editor for Blue Nation Review, chimed in with an abusive article titled "Armageddon is Upon Us Because of Obama, Gays." MSNBC, Huffington Post and others followed suit.

Huffington Post writer Marina Fang, reported uncritically the Obama line that his negotiations with Iran are "meant to prevent the country from developing or obtaining nuclear weapons."

"Obama has said repeatedly that the goal of the nuclear talks with Iran is to prevent the country from developing a nuclear weapon," Fang reported, adding that "Bachmann also blamed abortion and gay marriage, arguing that God is punishing the United States for 'embracing a pagan view.'"

Dobson has been in open conflict with Obama over the president's mandate that employers pay for abortions in their employee health care plans, at one point addressing the president with, "Come and get me if you must." He also affirmed that no matter the U.S. Supreme Court's opinion on "same-sex marriage," a decision praised and celebrated by Obama, he would follow the Bible.

Dobson was part of a coalition that posted ads with the statement: "We affirm that marriage, as existing solely between one man and one woman, precedes civil government. Though affirmed, fulfilled and elevated by faith, the truth that marriage can exist only between one man and one woman is not based solely on religion but on the Natural Law, written on the human heart.

"We implore this court to not step outside of its legitimate authority and unleash religious persecution and discrimination against people of faith. We will be forced to choose between the state and our conscience, which is informed by clear biblical and church doctrine and the natural created order."

Their conclusion?

"We will not honor any decision by the Supreme Court which will force us to violate a clear biblical understanding of marriage as solely the union of one man and one woman."

All you need to know about the attacks on marriage is in "Takedown: From Communists to Progressives, How the Left has Sabotaged Family and Marriage," by Paul Kengor.

Trump praised the members of the new panel.

"I have such tremendous respect and admiration for this group and I look forward to continuing to talk about the issues important to evangelicals, and all Americans, and the common sense solutions I will implement when I am president," he said.

The campaign said the executive board members will convene on a regular basis.

They include:

Bachmann
A.R. Bernard, senior pastor and CEO, Christian Cultural Center
Mark Burns, pastor, Harvest Praise and Worship Center
Tim Clinton, president, American Association of Christian Counselors
Kenneth and Gloria Copeland, founders, Kenneth Copeland Ministries
James Dobson , author, psychologist and host, My Family Talk
Jerry Falwell Jr., president, Liberty University
Ronnie Floyd, senior pastor, Cross Church
Jentezen Franklin, senior pastor, Free Chapel
Jack Graham, senior pastor, Prestonwood Baptist Church
Harry Jackson, senior pastor, Hope Christian Church
Robert Jeffress, senior pastor, First Baptist Church of Dallas
David Jeremiah, senior pastor, Shadow Mountain Community Church
Richard Land, president, Southern Evangelical Seminary
James MacDonald, founder and senior pastor, Harvest Bible Chapel
Johnnie Moore, president, The KAIROS Company
Robert Morris, senior pastor, Gateway Church
Tom Mullins, senior pastor, Christ Fellowship
Ralph Reed, founder, Faith and Freedom Coalition
James Robison, founder, Life OUTREACH International
Tony Suarez, executive vice president, National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference
Jay Strack, president, Student Leadership University
Paula White, senior pastor, New Destiny Christian Center
Tom Winters, attorney, Winters and King, Inc.
Sealy Yates, attorney, Yates and Yates