James and Stacy McDonald are fundamentalist Christians and, through several long-term project sites (such as Ladies Against Feminisn, or "LAF"; and their own blog, "Your Sacred Calling") Stacy especially has shared her opinions. Among her favourite topics is marriage - how to make it work and how to 'start out right.'

James the pastor - of course he is! - and his wife both had rocky first marriages and wanted to protect their children - eventually their blended family came to include 10 kids - and so James in particular spent a lot of his time building a gauntlet by which to test any potential suitor interested in courting his daughters.

In addition to some friendly interrogation, this gauntlet appears as a list of questions designed to determine if the wannabe McDonald is good enough...even despite the constant caveats that these questions are not a test and so there is no way to fail.

The entire questionnaire is quite lengthy, so this contributor has collected some samples.

To see the whole list, as well as the equally wordy and self-righteous posturing that forms its preface, check the link. It, and what links from it, is a gold-mine.

[Just to liven things up here, this contributor is going to add a couple of questions to the list excerpts. See if you can guess which questions Pastor James McDonald *failed* to ask people who want to marry into his family.]

• What are the evidences of your salvation?

• Our family subscribes to the Westminster Confession of Faith and the Shorter and Larger Catechisms as our statement of faith. To what creed or confession do you subscribe?

• What are your views on charitable giving as discussed in the atrached list of Scripture?

• Do you take issue with any part of the Westminster Standards? If so, what?We are members of the CPC – a reformed Presbyterian denomination. (Please read through the Constitution and Form of Church Government I sent earlier and let me know if you disagree with any part of these documents.)

• What do you see as the man’s role in the local church? Your own role?

• What do you see as your wife’s role in local church ministry?

• How do you view age-segregation in the church (youth groups, Sunday school)?What is your view on the celebration of Christmas and Easter? [Careful, boys; these questions are a trap. McDonald opposes age-segregation  as well as holiday celebrations.]

• How would those who know you well describe your personal character?

• How long have you been a member of your current fellowship?What are your habits with regard to prayer and Bible study?

• What is your opinion of personal witnessing?

• Aside from the verbal act of witnessing, in what other ways do you show God's grace through your actions?

• Recognizing we are all imperfect, in what one or two areas do you think God wants you to improve most?

• Do you have a teachable spirit? Can you cite any examples?

[NOTE: The following three questions appear here exactly as they were written, and *in the same order* as they appear in the article.]

• Describe your relationship with your father? Was (is) it honoring? Was (is) it obedient?

• Do any mental or emotional illnesses that could effect your children run in your family?

• Describe your relationship with your mother? Was (is) it honoring? Was (is) it obedient?

[Continuing on...]

• Are you ever manipulative of others?

• What are your beliefs regarding diet?

• Are your eating habits disciplined? Do you have any food dislikes? Are you a vegetarian?

• Do you have a weight problem? [So...what? The suitors just phone in their answers - or can't Jimmy tell when someone is overweight?]

• Do you have any physical or mental disabilities or diseases? Any allergies? Prior or current health problems?

• Have you had dental work? If so, please specify the nature of it?

• Do you read regularly, and if so, what? Who is your favorite author? Outside the Bible, what would be your five favorite non-fiction books? Five favorite fiction books?

• What are your habits regarding sleeping? Are you lethargic? Are your sleep habits irregular?

• Would you consider yourself neat or messy?

• What is your practice regarding personal prayer?

• What is your level of personal cleanliness and hygiene?

• Do you have any personal habits that might annoy others?

• What are your views not merely on physical hospitality but also on how charitable you are when judging the characters of others?

• Do you tend to be more of a leader or follower in life? Can you cite any examples?

• In making decisions, what role does God’s Word play?

• What is your attitude toward women? What is their purpose?

• What is your view on the role of a wife? What are your views on women working outside the home? What are your views concerning divorce and remarriage?

• What are your thoughts regarding birth control and family planning?

• What are your views on child training, including corporal punishment?What are your views on homeschooling?

• Are you honest? Do you ever slant the truth for your own benefit?

• How have you prepared yourself for marriage?

• What are your standards of propriety in dress? How do you dress?Describe your standards of dress for women?What are your views on head coverings for women?What are your views on public swimming?Do you use offensive language?Do you watch television, R...[blah blah]

There are dozens more like these. They go on and on, almost as if Jimmy knew literally nothing about his daughters' suitors except maybe their names.