The Impact of the Expansion of the Religious Media in Contemporary Cuba 201
In 1992 a constitutional amendment transformed Cuba from officially
an atheistic state to a lay state. The increased space for religions was
further recognized by the May 19, 2010 meeting between General
Castro and the Catholic prelates.
Given that religions in Cuba are increasingly playing an intermedi-
ary role (both formally and informally) between the state and the citi-
zenry, can religious actors gradually assume a substantial mediating
role in the current transition? Does increasing governmental and soci-
etal dependence on religious actors, national and international, pro-
vide a real opportunity for religions to influence the direction of
society in a major fashion? The indications to date are that the gov-
ernment would resist such a possibility unless it was to its clear advan-
tage, but there is no guarantee that it will continue to be able to do so.
To what degree, then, will religious actors be able to take advantage of
the situation? Furthermore, given the broad spectrum of opinions
within the religious sector over the nature of the transition and the
extent of the restructuring to be undertaken, would there be a consen-
sus that goes much beyond the need for change? Such was the case in
the 1950s when the vast majority of Cubans supported an end to the
Batista regime, but there was no overall agreement on what precisely
would replace it, thereby providing Fidel Castro with a considerable
opportunity to introduce his own ideas. And to what degree will a civil
society with strong strains of secularism be willing to accept a sub-
stantial leadership role by religions even if the latter have the most
extensive institutional presence and networks? In short, what is the
disposition of Cuban citizens to accept the leadership of religions in
building the Cuban society of the future? This answer to that is
unclear.
It is also possible that if there were more secular associational alter-
natives the current role of religions might diminish. On the other
hand, it is a misperception to assume that the current attraction of
religion in Cuba is solely for the material resources provided. High
levels of anomie and alienation in Cuba, as well as loss of faith in the
revolution by a good number of Cubans, especially young people,