Published on September 7, 2024, 12:42 am

Christians are often regarded as the conscience of their age, tasked with imbuing societal structures with everlasting principles that underpin a robust republic. As such, any system aiming to dismantle these structures must first neutralize those willing to defend them. The strategy leans heavily on blurring the lines between spiritual and political joy, essentially eroding the societal fabric by undermining devout adherents of justice and free elections to attain political power.

Cuba stands as a classic illustration of this perilous path. The recent visit by Cuban dictator Miguel Díaz-Canel to an Eastern Cuban region highlights this reality. Numerous women from the locale expressed admiration for the dictator in religious terminologies due to his visit. One woman likened Díaz-Canel’s presence to divine intervention, believing that his visit would solve the local problems.

The common thread of faith not only binds societies together but also fuels community fortification and moral pillar transmission. Attempting to build a “New Man” – epitomized in Che Guevara’s vision – faces glaring impediments when these same faiths uphold tradition and centuries-old moral wisdom. To sidestep this challenge, totalitarian regimes strive to replace these elements; substituting God with the state, Jesus (the messiah) with their leader, personal faith with state ideologies, community gatherings with mass organizations and spiritual rituals with revolutionary reaffirmation ceremonies.

Totalitarianism attempts to mimic Christianity in a morally warped sense; becoming a worldly imitation designed primarily for men’s benefit rather than divine purpose or communal good. A revered example is Cuba’s Fidel Castro harming Christianity while spotlighted as a deity in some quarters.

For instance, during Cuba’s revolution onset phase –in traditionally catholic Cuba– pockets-sized cards addressed Fidel Castro circulated widely amongst citizens seasoning the adulation soup further. A notable Cuban author Rafael Piñeiro López reveals one such card reading: “Fidel, deliver us from scribes and Pharisees! Complete Christ’s principles. You have the support of your people and globally. Thank you, Fidel!”

The phrase “Fidel is God” can be seen on Havana walls; vigils are held in his name, public parades conducted and Castro portrayed as watching over the Cuban Revolution from the heavens are commonplace. Lending more credibility to Fidel’s supposed sanctity is how different religious groups venerate him; for instance, the Yoruba Cultural Association perceives him as Olofi- land’s overseer.

This view of Fidel Castro as divine emerged following a white dove’s landing on his shoulder during his inaugural speech in Havana post-1959 revolution success. Afro-Cubans equated the dove with Obatalá creation deity while Christians interpreted it symbolically- representing baptism by the Holy Spirit as endorsed by Jesus. This might be twisted propaganda to woo highly religious Cubans.

What remains unquestionable, however, is that despite presiding over a country that barely tolerated Christianity expressions — despite his Catholic school education — Castro himself practiced religious faith cognizant of its manipulative potential over emotional wellsprings within devote followers.

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