Castro and the Russian Orthodox Church

[Bud Struggle]

It seems Castro has built a Russian Orthodox Church in Cuba. I wonder if he's converted to the faith, too.


I suggested building a Cathedral of the Russian Orthodox Church in the capital of Cuba as a monument to Cuban-Russian friendship. The Historian of the City, Eusebio Leal, would be in charge of this undertaking. During the construction, earth was brought from the place where the remains were laid to rest of the Soviet soldiers who perished in our country during the tens of years they rendered services here. Thus, when the Cathedral was dedicated this past Sunday, I wanted to meet with the esteemed personality of the Russian Orthodox Church visiting with us...--Fidel Castro

http://willamettereds.blogspot.com/2008/10/fidel-castro-reflects-on-russian.html

[ZeroNowhere]

There was a previous discussion of this here (http://www.revleft.com/vb/state-sponsored-orthodox-t100382/index.html). Of course, you can discuss it here, I'm just bringing it up.

[Robert]

I'm sure the Cuban people were given an opportunity to vote on the issuance of the bonds to finance the project. :) If they were not, well, voting is a bourgeois institution anyway.

As for Fidel, Mark Twain once said "the religious folly you are born in you will die in, no matter what apparently reasonabler religious folly may seem to have tken its place in the meanwhile, and abolished and obliterated it."

What folly was Fidel born in?

[Bud Struggle]

Well here in the USA Religion looks like this:

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y43/MercutioTomK/bordersdallashb7.jpg

[Kassad]

I don't see why there's this massive hysteria over religious churches in a socialist state. If the people desire religious freedom, there is no one who should tell them they are not free to worship. Cuba is the only state that is practicing consistent socialism and doing an incredible job in the face of economic hardship and American imperialism. A quick glance at the educational and healthcare systems in Cuba should make most Americans sick at how well they have it in Cuba compared to the profit system in the United States. Using resources for the people has made Cuba as prosperous as they can be under a United States blockade, which is the only impediment to massive prosperity in Cuba.

[Bud Struggle]

The thing is--the state BUILT the church.

[danyboy27]

The thing is--the state BUILT the church.

good point, like for exemple in china religion is under the tight control of the state.

[Robert]

The Cuban Constitution provides:


ARTICLE 8. The state recognizes, respects and guarantees freedom of religion.

In the Republic of Cuba, religious institutions are separate from the state.

The different beliefs and religions enjoy the same consideration.


Not bad.

[Bud Struggle]

The Cuban Constitution provides:




ARTICLE 8. The state recognizes, respects and guarantees freedom of religion.

In the Republic of Cuba, religious institutions are separate from the state.


The different beliefs and religions enjoy the same consideration.




Not bad.


Especially when Fidel wants to build himself a church! :D

[TheCultofAbeLincoln]

Wow. And to think my complaint is that churches here are tax-free.

Socialism is not about subsidizing church.

[Bud Struggle]

Using resources for the people has made Cuba as prosperous as they can be under a United States blockade, which is the only impediment to massive prosperity in Cuba.


There is NO BLOCKADE of Cuba. Just a trade embarge--in other words the US doesn't trade with Cuba, but every other country on the face of the earth can. What keeps most of the people alive there is a flurishing black Market. also there is a large amount of trade with boaters from Florida--I've sailed there myself, takes about 5 hours from the Keys.

Lots of cigars get bought that way.

Anyway,

Cuba three great successes:

Universal healthcare
Excellent educational system
Universal employment

Cuba's three great failures:

Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner

[rednordman]

There is NO BLOCKADE of Cuba. Just a trade embarge--in other words the US doesn't trade with Cuba, but every other country on the face of the earth can.
While I accept what you say about the black market and the boaters from florida, I strongly doubt that any other nation in the world can freely trade with Cuba without fears of penalties and prosecution/end of good relations with the USA. I mean Cuba is still on that stupid axis of evil list, isnt it? Doesnt that in itself forbid other nations from doing trade also, without risk of getting a bad name? Im not having a go, but I just need to know the exact rules of their embargo, and if it is true that they can deal with any nation, what nations deal with them?
+whats the story behind that pic of the religion section of that book store? is that for real.lol

[danyboy27]

While I accept what you say about the black market and the boaters from florida, I strongly doubt that any other nation in the world can freely trade with Cuba without fears of penalties and prosecution/end of good relations with the USA. I mean Cuba is still on that stupid axis of evil list, isnt it? Doesnt that in itself forbid other nations from doing trade also, without risk of getting a bad name? Im not having a go, but I just need to know the exact rules of their embargo, and if it is true that they can deal with any nation, what nations deal with them?
+whats the story behind that pic of the religion section of that book store? is that for real.lol

well spanish and the chinese can, has far has i am concerned, the doctor of castro is spanish.

[Bud Struggle]

While I accept what you say about the black market and the boaters from florida, I strongly doubt that any other nation in the world can freely trade with Cuba without fears of penalties and prosecution/end of good relations with the USA. I mean Cuba is still on that stupid axis of evil list, isnt it? Doesnt that in itself forbid other nations from doing trade also, without risk of getting a bad name? Im not having a go, but I just need to know the exact rules of their embargo, and if it is true that they can deal with any nation, what nations deal with them?
+whats the story behind that pic of the religion section of that book store? is that for real.lol

Anyone can trade with Cuba--besides for the US. The best way to get to Cuba is through Air Canada. Mexaco has flights there every day. As a matter of fact the US has a flight from Miami once a week, I believe.

The embargo, by the way is stupid. It wouldn't be American policy if it weren't for a group of very vocal and very rich Cuban ex-pats that are just waiting for Castro to die to stage a counter-revolution. They have an army in the Everglades training to do just that.

But maybe the US did put pressure on other countries not to trade with Cuba a long time ago, but it certainly isn't the case now.

As far as the Obama pick goes--that was taken in a Boarders Book store in Texas.

[RGacky3]

Cuba is the only state that is practicing consistent socialism and doing an incredible job in the face of economic hardship and American imperialism. A quick glance at the educational and healthcare systems in Cuba should make most Americans sick at how well they have it in Cuba compared to the profit system in the United States. Using resources for the people has made Cuba as prosperous as they can be under a United States blockade, which is the only impediment to massive prosperity in Cuba.

I second that, although Cuba is'nt my type of Socialism, for a State Socialist country it is doing quite well, infact extreamly well considering the circumstances.


The thing is--the state BUILT the church.

The Cuban system is a lot more democratic than most people think, and democratic in a more real way than the US, voting on things that actually effect their community directly. So I'm sure this was'nt just Fidels idea.


Anyone can trade with Cuba--besides for the US. The best way to get to Cuba is through Air Canada. Mexaco has flights there every day. As a matter of fact the US has a flight from Miami once a week, I believe.

If you look at the economy of Cuba before Castro it was very very dependant on US trade, so saying "anyone else can" is a bit misleading, Cuba had to rebuild its economy from the ground up (of caorse with the help of the USSR in the begining).