Those who have watched much of the Republican and Democratic conventions this summer cannot have missed the clergy sightings that have become a routine feature of these otherwise worldly gatherings. They’re everywhere, these clergy, showing up during the day, at night, at the beginning, at the end …

From the safe distance of my Atlanta home today, I would like to invite readers to dig into five simple questions I want to ask about ministers and political conventions.

You are invited to play along at home. Add up your score at the end to see how you did.

Question 1: Why do political parties invite ministers to pray at their conventions?

1. They genuinely want (to feel that they are receiving) God’s presence and blessing on what they are doing.
2. They want to be seen as a party whose piety/ies match those of the American people.
3. They are appealing to specific demographic groups.
4. They are paying political debts.
5. They are hoping to mobilize specific ministers for (quasi) endorsements and thinly veiled electioneering come November.

Question 2: Why do ministers agree to pray at (their favored party’s) political conventions?

1. They genuinely want God’s blessing to come to this party as it does its work and are not motivated by partisan loyalty.
2. They believe this party’s agenda closely aligns with their faith’s values and they want to lift up those values.
3. They want to help this party or politician win the election.
4. They think that this kind of political access can be valuable to them.
5. They are flattered by the invitation and know it can enhance their clout and visibility back in their religious communities.

Question 3: Is it a good thing for our politics that ministers pray at political conventions?

1. Yes, because God hears and answers sincere prayers.
2. Yes, they can help Americans ground their politics in a deeper transcendent reference point in faith.
3. No, because they explicitly or implicitly marginalize those citizens whose faiths are not included in such prayers.
4. No, because they tempt politicians and activists to absolutize their policies and values as if they are God’s policies and values.
5. No, because they completely undermine the separation of church and state.

Question 4: Is it a good thing for our religion/s that ministers pray at political conventions?

1. Yes, because it keeps our country from becoming entirely secular.
2. Yes, because a profound ministerial prayer brings glory to God and respect for the religion being practiced.
3. No, because it invites ministers to compromise their independence in return for access to powerful politicians.
4. No, because it risks turning ministers into house prophets of their favored party.
5. No, because certain kinds of ministers can truly embarrass their religion by offering  hopelessly partisan or otherwise idiotic prayers.

Question 5: Can you imagine a situation in which the same minister could be invited to pray at both major party conventions?

1. Yes, because religion unites people and can overcome partisan divisions.
2. Yes, but you would have to find just the right minister.
3. No, because the parties are so divided they could never agree on the same minister.
4. No, because America’s religions are so weak that there could never be someone of sufficient stature.
5. No, because ministers who pray at conventions are all partisan hacks.

Scoring:

5-7: Congratulations, you are truly an optimist. Your faith is touching.

8-11: You are optimistic but nuanced. Here’s hoping you are right.

12-15: Uh, oh, looking a little grim. But still, not without hope.

16-21: You have seen too much, I am afraid.

22-25: Please turn off your TV immediately and take a very long rest.