I need some opinions on M*A*S*H's use of satire...

[blondeemi]

I am writing a paper on people's opinions of the ways M*A*S*H satirizes religion. I would appreciate it if you could respond. You can use the book, movie, or tv show for examples. Thank you.

Here is the specific question I am wanting an answer to:

What do you think about the way M*A*S*H satirizes religion? Use a specific instance from the book, tv show, or movie. Describe why you liked/didn't like it, and describe what point you think it was trying to make.

[blondeemi]

I am writing a paper on people's opinions of the ways M*A*S*H satirizes religion. I would appreciate it if you could respond. You can use the book, movie, or tv show for examples. Thank you.

Here is the specific question I am wanting an answer to:

What do you think about the way M*A*S*H satirizes religion? Use a specific instance from the book, tv show, or movie. Describe why you liked/didn't like it, and describe what point you think it was trying to make.

[Dr. Thong]

There's a scene in one episode where B.J. is talking to a patient. He advises that maybe the patient would feel better if he talked to Father Mulcahy.

The patient says ok, but he says that he's an atheist.

B.J.: Really?

PATIENT: Swear to God.

The patient says it deadpan - he's not being a wise guy. I thought it was a comment on how common it is for people to say "Swear to God" or how casual it had become.

I don't think M*A*S*H made fun of religion per se, but rather the hypocrisy of some people who claimed to be religious or hid behind it. Frank Burns was always seen reading a bible, yet thought nothing of having an extramartial affair with Hot Lips or letting Radar take the rap when he "borrowed" a recovering General's gun.

When someone pointed out to Father Mulcahy that Hawkeye thought highly of him, Mulcahy smiled and replied, "That crazy agnostic."

In another scene, atheism was brought up and Hawkeye said something like "I don't believe in that."

M*A*S*H tended to satirize authority figures. I don't think they put down religion just for the sake of doing so. In fact, they showed a man of God (Father Mulcahy) to be very human. He had to deal with disappointment, temptation and even a hearing problem and yet never succumbed to it.