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God and Government: Cuba's evolving religious landscape
April 06, 2018
For the first time since its revolution almost 60 years ago, Cuba will soon have a leader not named Castro. Is religion filling a space once occupied by revolutionary fervor?
Jorge Royan | Wikimedia
Religion in Cuba: from underground to co-existence with the government April 06, 2018
In a new installment of our God and Government series, we visit the country of Cuba to see how it is navigating a changing relationship between church and state. The country has gone from breaking with the Catholic Church following the Cuban revolution, to a careful co-existence between the church and the government in the midst of post-Cold War economic troubles. We also talk with Felix Contreras, the host of NPR’s Alt.Latino about how the spirituality of many Afro Cubans is reflected in the fusion of the practice of Santeria and music.

Maria de los Angeles Torres, professor, University of Illinois-Chicago
Michael Bustamante, historian, Florida International University
Felix Contreras, host, NPR's Alt.Latino
Cubahora | Flickr
Cubans look to faith as they prepare for a post-Castro nation April 06, 2018
Cuba was once officially atheist, but today enjoys a degree of religious freedom. But the country is heading into uncharted territory, as President Raul Castro, who took over from his brother Fidel 10 years ago, is stepping down. He’ll name a successor on April 19.  So where are Cubans putting their faith now? BBC reporter Will Grant covered Fidel Castro’s funeral, and he’ll be on hand when Raul retires. And NPR’s Alt.Latino host Felix Contreras brings us another piece of Cuban music.

Will Grant, BBC reporter
Felix Contreras, host, NPR's Alt.Latino
Ryan Bayne | Flickr
Evangelical Christianity grows in once-atheist Cuba April 06, 2018
Though religion was once pushed underground in Cuba, the government tolerated its re-emergence in the uncertainty following the dissolution of the Soviet Union. The Cuban government has been quietly tolerating many forms of religious expression — as long as religious practice doesn’t veer into political dissent. And a new faith movement is picking up a bit of the slack as the country’s social welfare system comes under strain — the fast-growing Evangelical Christian tradition. Plus, a reporter from WAMU reports on how people of faith in Washington DC, like those across the country, reflected on the 50th anniversary of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.

Michael Bustamante, historian, Florida International University
Felix Contreras, host, NPR's Alt.Latino
Mikaela Lefrak, arts and culture reporter, WAMU