There are three main varieties of Lutherans in America.
The largest is the ELCA, which is very liberal, except in the Dakotas. It supports abortion rights, female clergy and a non literal reading of the Bible.
The Lutheran Church- Missouri Synod grew out of German Lutherans who were persecuted during the coerced syncretism of Otto von Bismarck in the mid 1800s. The Lincoln-loving Germans of St. Louis, Missouri were key in the American Civil War. One in three Union troops were of German Ancestry. Currently the LCMS is divided between a majority that support the Church Growth Movement and a vocal and educated minority that supports Confessional Lutheranism.
Michelle Bachmann was until recently was a member of the WELS. WELS is the closest Lutheran Church to non–denominational Evangelical Christianity. The Daily Kos used the WELS quote of Martin Luther on the papacy being “Anti-Christ” to drive Michelle Bachmann out of the WELS. Michelle Bachmann cited some of her close relatives that are Roman Catholics. As a young girl in WELS, Michelle Bachmann had experience living in a Kibbutz in Israel.
But I am a sedevacantist Traditional Catholic that believes in the teaching of the St. Benedict Center of Richmond, New Hampshire with hope for 1 Billion living souls plus all those who convert before their final hour in the vineyard.
Literally, or figuratively? Referencing Michelle’s early childhood experience .
She literally lived on a kibbutz for a short visit.