Election-year goals of Christian group questioned

A little-known segment of Christianity is gaining attention in the presidential race.

It's called dominionism, the view that Christians have a God-given mandate to run the world.

The issue came up after Republican Rick Perry's prayer rally. That event was organized by preachers whose rhetoric about the end times and the need for Christian influence in government is close to dominionism. Michele Bachmann drew similar questions when she called the separation of church and state a "myth."

Perry has never said anything that would directly link him to dominionism. Neither has Bachmann.

Still, scholars and activists have been debating whether dominionism is gaining popularity and more followers. Activists are alarmed. However, most religion scholars say the outlook is more of a problem than a threat to democracy.