Cuba is a multiracial society with a population of mainly Spanish and African origins. .Cuba was officially an atheist state from 1959 until a constitutional change in 1992 abolished atheism as the state creed and provided for the separation of church and state. At that time, the Communist Party also lifted its ban on members with religious beliefs. The largest organized religion is the Roman Catholic Church, but evangelical protestant denominations continue to grow rapidly. Baptists, represented in four different conventions, and Pentecostal churches, particularly the Assemblies of God, are probably the largest Protestant denominations. Afro-Cuban religions, a blend of native African religions and Roman Catholicism, are widely practiced. There are also small groups of Jews, Muslims, Baha’i and members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormons).
Although many religious groups report that the situation has improved in recent years, in law and practice the government continues to place restrictions on freedom of religion. The law requires that all religious groups seek official recognition through the Ministry of Justice. As part of the process groups must provide detailed information about finances, foreign associations, and membership lists. Each meeting place must also be approved, through a separate process which requires specific information about meeting times and scheduled activities. The government rarely grants permission for new construction, although it has allowed substantial renovations of existing structures. Imports of religious materials are strictly controlled. The government controls all forms of mass media and grants only very limited broadcast access to religious groups. Religious education in public schools is not permitted nor is the operation of private primary or secondary schools of any kind, with the exception of schools exclusively for expatriates. As with all civil society organizations, the government monitors religious groups and often has resorted to surveillance, infiltration, and harassment of those under suspicion of opposition activities.
Many religious groups now engage in limited community service activities, such as operating facilities for the elderly and needy, providing courses in English or computer skills, or opening small libraries. With approval from the government’s Office of Religious Affairs, legally recognized groups are able to send their leaders abroad to conferences and for training and invite foreign leaders to Cuba.
The Cuban Council of Churches (CCC) is an officially sanctioned umbrella organization that includes 27 religious organizations as full members, eight associate members, two with observer status, and 12 interfaith movements. The CCC is structured into six “zones” across the country and, according to its leadership, represents more than 100,000 Christians. Members elect the CCC leadership directly. Membership in the CCC is voluntary, and other officially recognized groups, including the Catholic Church, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and the small Jewish and Muslim communities, do not belong. The government tends to be most tolerant of churches that maintain close relations to the state through the CCC.
Other Cuban religious groups also have benefited from the relative relaxation of official restrictions on religious organizations and activities. Although particularly hard hit by emigration, Cuba’s small Jewish community continues to hold services in Havana and has members in Santiago, Camaguey, and other parts of the island.
Agencies/USStateDeptm/CubaOldReligions/InternetPhotos/Arnoldo Varona/TheCubanHistory.com
THE CUBAN HISTORY, HOLLYWOOD.