Following the 1959 Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro’s newly formed government restructured nearly every facet of Cuban society, including its approach to religion. While Cuba never officially banned religion, the revolutionary government—firmly rooted in Marxist-Leninist ideology—viewed religious belief as incompatible with socialist doctrine. As a result, it imposed numerous restrictions on religious practice and expression, especially Christianity, which historically played a prominent role in Cuban culture.
- Initial Post-Revolution Restrictions
In the immediate aftermath of the revolution, churches and religious organizations were placed under heavy scrutiny. Religious schools were closed, church property was nationalized, and clergy were often harassed or monitored by state security. Public displays of faith became socially and politically discouraged. The state made clear that in the new socialist order, religion was to be a private matter, not a public or institutional force.
- Party Exclusion of Religious Believers
Perhaps the clearest example of state hostility toward religion came from the Communist Party itself. Membership in the Cuban Communist Party was explicitly denied to practicing religious believers for several decades. This meant that anyone openly practicing Christianity—or any religion—was automatically disqualified from participating in political leadership, academia, and many professional occupations.
This exclusion had a chilling effect: many Cubans abandoned or concealed their faith for fear of political and economic repercussions. Practicing Christians were effectively sidelined from meaningful roles in shaping the nation’s future.
- Marxist Ideology vs. Religious Faith
At the heart of this conflict was ideology. Marxist theory views religion as a tool of oppression, famously described by Karl Marx as the “opiate of the masses.” From this perspective, religious institutions were seen not only as relics of a capitalist and colonial past but also as impediments to revolutionary progress. In Cuba, Christianity was portrayed by some officials as a remnant of bourgeois culture or even as an imperialist influence—a threat to socialist unity and control.
- Limited but Controlled Religious Freedom
Despite the heavy restrictions, religion was never entirely outlawed in Cuba. Churches remained open, and religious services continued—but always under tight state supervision. The Cuban government regulated church appointments, monitored sermons, and sometimes infiltrated congregations with informants. Religious organizations were denied access to public media, limited in their ability to organize events, and often excluded from educational institutions.
The practice of faith was tolerated as long as it didn’t challenge the state’s authority or attempt to mobilize political dissent.
- A Shift Toward Greater Tolerance—With Caveats
In the 1990s, facing economic hardship after the fall of the Soviet Union, Cuba softened its approach to religion. In 1992, the constitution was amended to remove the official designation of Cuba as an “atheist state,” and the Communist Party lifted its ban on religious believers joining its ranks.
Popes John Paul II and Francis later visited Cuba, signaling a thaw in church-state relations. Churches regained some influence, especially in providing humanitarian aid and moral guidance. However, religious institutions today still operate within a framework of state control, with limited autonomy.
Wealth, Freedom, and the Judeo-Christian Foundation: Why Socialist Systems Fail the Common Man
While Cuba’s revolutionary government didn’t formally criminalize Christianity, it did impose systemic restrictions aimed at marginalizing religious life and subordinating it to the state. These actions are consistent with the patterns seen in other Marxist-Leninist regimes, where religion is often seen as a rival to ideological control.
For those who value religious freedom, Cuba’s history under Fidel Castro offers a cautionary tale of what happens when the state declares itself the ultimate moral authority. As the country continues to evolve, the question remains: can a truly free society coexist with centralized socialist control?
The concept of wealth for the common man is deeply rooted in Judeo-Christian values. This is why, for many of us, claims by Islam to share Abrahamic roots don’t carry the same weight—particularly when censorship is entrenched in Islamic governance and cultural norms.
Socialism, Communism, Marxism, and other collectivist ideologies cannot truly coexist with Judeo-Christian values. Why? Because these systems reject individualism, free will, volunteerism, freedom of expression, and independent thought. They stifle innovation, and without the freedom to create and express, how can a person genuinely seek God?
Some argue that Cuba’s poverty is a result of the U.S. embargo. While the embargo is real, it isn’t the root cause. The U.S. also maintains sanctions against other nations, including China, yet those countries remain economically viable. The real issue in Cuba stems from internal government policies. The Cuban regime nationalized major industries and imposes high taxes and tariffs on nearly everything that enters the country.
If you send money or goods to Cuba, it’s taxed—not by the sender, but by the Cuban people. In most cases, the recipients must pay these costs. Unlike in capitalist systems like Canada, where businesses pass taxes onto consumers, Cuban entrepreneurs are not permitted to shift these costs. This disincentivizes business growth and trade.
In Canada, if a government taxes a business, the business adjusts pricing accordingly. But imagine if that were illegal—few would dare enter the marketplace. This is a concept easily understood by Americans, who live in a culture of entrepreneurship. For many Canadians, it’s harder to grasp due to the lack of entrepreneurial experience in daily life.
In theory, if the Cuban economy allowed freedom and incentives, global businesses would trade with it. But Cuba’s own socialist restrictions make commerce undesirable. Blaming America alone for Cuba’s economic struggles is misguided. Nations like Iran, Russia, and China all operate under various forms of socialism or communism. What separates countries like North Korea and Cuba is their harsh stance against Christianity and religious liberty.
Judeo-Christian values are not about who invented algebra. Values are about how you treat people, how you govern, and how you foster moral responsibility. That’s the foundation of building a just and sustainable society—a reflection of the Kingdom of God.
Atheism, in contrast, often lacks a strong value system. In some Islamic kingdoms, elites live extremely well while enforcing strict societal codes. Their religious governance has at least a guiding value system—whether you agree with it or not. Atheistic regimes often replace God with the state, and history shows how quickly that devolves into tyranny.
The Chinese Communist Party, for example, is fully aware of how atheistic thought operates. That’s why they work tirelessly to prevent dissent. For many in China, the highest honor is not divine but political—membership in the Communist Party becomes their equivalent of heaven.
It’s important to recognize that while individuals who do not follow Christ may bring value to society, that doesn’t mean they serve the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords—Jesus Christ (Yeshua). The behavior of atheistic governance around the world proves a key point: there are many versions of socialism, but they all rely on control and censorship.
Even countries like the United Kingdom, once champions of freedom, are now embracing censorship. As nations grow more secular and collectivist, they take on different characteristics—but the erosion of freedom remains constant.
Cuba’s poverty, in my view, is rooted in its rejection of Christ. China’s ancient traditions form the basis of its governance, but Cuba had a Christian foundation. Its revolutionary leaders viewed Christianity as a threat and intentionally suppressed religious liberty and free thought.
Please don’t abandon Christ. He will never abandon you.
Consider making Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior today.
