Essay about History of Religion in Communist Cuba

History of Religion in Communist Cuba Introduction: The evolution of religion in Cuba, after Castro’s insurrection in 1959, has included much suppression by its proclaimed atheist, communistic government. There are several reasons that account for why this suppression has occurred, coupled by a recent trend (beginning in the late 1980s) of a religious revival, and more importantly, a growing Christian population within Cuban society. This growing spirituality can be attributed to many aspects of the Cuban economy and society. Also, it is important to observe how Castro’s negation of religious and human rights was perceived by Pope John Paul II during his pilgrimage to Cuba in January of 1998. The suppression which has existed†¦show more content†¦Spiritual Hunger Existing in Modern-Day Cuba: This trend has often been considered a reflection of the economic hardships being suffered throughout Cuba, and it has even been deemed a spiritual crisis. Disillusioned Cubans are desperately searching for means of gaining political and civil rights and religion is the driving force behind this momentum. This new trend is described by author John W. Kennedy when he says, After nearly four decades of unrealized communist dreams, Cubans are ripe for change. There is a spiritual hunger in the land, a void that Marxism has been unable to fill. Cubans turn to religion (and more specifically the Catholic Church) because it is an autonomous institution, outside Castro’s regime that can offer them aid, and solutions for how to better their lives. Cubans’ calls for help have been addressed by many Catholic churches. These institutions are now, (after Castro has subsided some of his suppressive policies) allowed to distribute daily necessities such as medicine, food, and health care free of cost. This is however, ultimately beneficial for Castro because it relieves some of the pressure which has been inflicted on the state of Cuba. This growing necessity for religion that began amidst a long history of suppression realizes its future of conflicting ideologies with the Communist party ofShow MoreRelatedEssay on Cuba580 Words   |  3 Pages Cuba Cuba has been under a dictator named Fidel Castro since 1959 when his army took over the communist party that was running the country. Cuba’s main source of economic growth comes from agriculture and exports to and from Europe. Since America has had an embargo on Cuba since 1962 neither countries trade with each other because of many disagreements about governing techniques and Fidels unwillingness to comply with U.S. instructions. Cuba’s long history and culture has contributed toRead MoreCuba: A Profile Essay example1092 Words   |  5 PagesKnown for its beauty, extravagant tourist’s attractions, and quality cigars, the Caribbean island of Cuba, a totalitarian communist state, is a multiracial society with a population of mainly Spanish and African origin. The nation is officially known as the Republic of Cuba; it consists of the Island of Cuba, the Isle of Youth and some adjacent small islands. Cuba lies just ninety miles south of Key West, Florida; therefore its climate is subtropical or temperate. The average minimum temperatureRead MoreThe Cuban Revolution : An Single Most Important Event Of 20th Century Latin America1200 Words   |  5 Pagesa new era of Communist rule. It is often cited as the single most important event of 20th century Latin America. The Cuban Revolution was derived from social unrest and consequently had a major impact on Cuba’s domestic and foreign affairs most notably the installation of a communist government that still rules today and abroad supported communist institutions across the world which in turn resulted in a strained relationship with the United States. Prior to the Cuban Revolution Cuba was under theRead MoreCuban National Culture : Cubas Original People1719 Words   |  7 Pagespeople. It discusses the historical events that occurred in Cuba and how those historic events have shaped Cuba’s culture. It talks about the original tribes that were on Cuba’s land for decades, which were Taino and Siboney Amerindian tribes. They were originally one of the first groups to help shape the Cuban culture. After a while, Spanish invaders came to Cuba and took over the land and put its own set of rules and traditions. This is how Cuba got its mixture of cultures, between the Spanish cultureRead MoreCulture, Nation And Social Cohesions : A Scrutiny Of Revolutionary Cuba1655 Words   |  7 PagesRevolutionary Cuba† by Kronenberg (2008), first talks about the development and character of Cuban national culture: Cuba’s original people. The author discusses the historical events that occurred in Cuba and how those histo ric events has shaped Cuba’s culture. He talks about the original tribes that were on Cuba’s land for decades, which were Taino and Siboney Amerindian tribes. They were originally one of the first groups to help shape the Cuban culture. After a while, Spanish invaders came to Cuba andRead MoreKarl Marx View On Communism1232 Words   |  5 PagesCommunism is a concept created by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels in 1844 and was exposed to the world in 1848 through â€Å"The Communist Manifesto†. When read, Communism can be seen as a beautiful idea. Karl Marx view Communism as the solution to inequality. Marx invoked the idea that for every member of a society to be equal, the State must have ownership over services and goods of society, including schools. However, when Communism began in the Soviet Union it was perfectly visible that CommunismRead MoreCuban Migration into the U.S. Essay1633 Words   |  7 Pagesthe St. Lawrence River bringing their Roman Catholicism religion. The people that were living in what is now Alaska went through cultural change when the Russians entered the area with their new language and orthodox religion. More recently, the people of Miami have gone through cultural changes since the Cubans have entered Southern Florida. To understand the migration of Cubans to Southern Florida, one must be familiar with the history of Cuban migration, immigration policies, and their implicationsRead MoreDreaming in Cuban1701 Words   |  7 PagesThroughout the years, Cuba is known to be a Communist country struggling to determine its own identity. Some Cubans have fought with the decision to stay in their native country or migrate to the United States. Others have decided to settle in Cuba and let their fate be deter mined by the gods. Santerà ­a, an African religion mixed with Catholic traditions, is practiced by many Cubans and allows followers to establish their destiny by the orishas, or African spirits. It also gives a sense of individualityRead MoreCommunism Of The Vietnam War And The Cold War1181 Words   |  5 PagesCommunism is an ideology that has a very long history more than one-third of the globe. This ideology is followed by Russia, Cuba, Laos, China, North Korea, and Vietnam. This ideology is the source of many revolutions and conflicts throughout the history likes the English Civil War, the Bolshevik Revolution, the Vietnam War, the Korea War and the Cold War. However, what makes Communism different from other ideologies is its origin, its policy, and its effects on the poor and the working class. CommunismRead MorePresident Kennedy as a Famous and Controversial Figure in History1679 Words   |  7 PagesPresident Kennedy as a Famous and Controversial Figure in History A) Although he was one of the most famous American Presidents in history, Kennedy was also one of the most controversial. He was famous for being the youngest American President ever to be elected into office, beginning his term at the age of only 44. His youth and character gave him the image of vigour and charisma which helped him to win the election against Nixon. However, his youth also made him