FIDEL AND RELIGION Castro Talks on Revolution and Religion with Frei Betto

Castro affirms the compatibility of Marxist revolution and religion, and reminisces about growing up Catholic

This startling book is based on a series of conversations between the Cuban leader and a Brazilian priest. The talk is informal and far-ranging, and Betto's questions are often provocative ("Does Cuba export revolution?"). Castro expounds on such matters as his Jesuit education, the effect of the revolution on the Church, the discrimination against Christians in Cuba and the teachings of Christ. Castro is inspired at one point to claim that there are "ten thousand more coincidences between Christianity and communism than between Christianity and capitalism," and concludes that Christians and Marxists can work together. As theologian Cox remarks in the introduction, Castro seems to savor the subject of religion far more than might be expected from a self-described atheist. Cox also suggests the possibility that the book may be "a clever gambit by a wily and resourceful politician who knows that he needs to have Christians on his side." In any case, it is a dazzling performance.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This work contains a series of fascinating interviews between a Dominican priest and Fidel Castro focused essentially on Castro's attitudes towards religion and Christianity. As the introduction suggests, the Spanish version of this book caused a sensation in Latin America because an avowed socialist leader has declared that a revolutionary can be a Christian at a time when the issue has been raised explicitly in Nicaragua. The interviews include many insights about Castro's upbringing and philosophy, but Betto fails to press Castro on his regime's human rights abuses in relation to his declarations on religion. Recommended for most libraries.Roderic A. Camp, Latin American Studies Dept., Central Coll., Pella, Ia.
Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.