Prayer

“Haven’t you got anything humorous that stays away from waters and valleys and God? I’d like to keep away from the subject of religion altogether if we can.”
The chaplain was apologetic. “I’m sorry, sir, but I’m afraid all the prayers I know are rather somber in tone and make at least some passing reference to God.”
“Then let’s get some new ones”(heller, 192).

Colonel Cathcart and the chaplain talk about maybe saying a group prayer before each mission. Cathcart wants to start saying the prayers because he thinks it will get him mentioned in the Saturday Evening Post. He only finds out later on that the enlisted men would have to be mentioned along with officers so he gave up his idea. His exclusion showed he was only interested in religion for use in his own advancement and reputation. Religion for the chaplain, to Catchart, also has nothing to do with faith in God. The chaplain tries to keep his faith as men constantly try to use religion as a tool without understanding the value of real faith. The chaplain is the only sane and realistic character in the army's group in this book, and he even struggles. The insanity in the officers reasoning is evident through their understanding of religion as simply a tool.