2 atheist states going to consider backing a religious theocracy's right

[RB TexLa]

to have nuclear weapons. North Korea and Cuba are going to go with that? :shrug:


http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20060915/ts_nm/nonaligned_dc_11

[JI7]

1. is North Korea atheist ?

don't they view the dead father and current ruler son to be some Gods ?

as for Cuba while i believe Castro may be atheist, i don't think they prevent people from practicing their religion. at least not as you see in China with the Falun Gong.

[EST]

2. The impression I had was that Cuba was very heavily Catholic.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

5. They are. I grew up in Union City, NJ.

Largest Cuban population at the time outside of Miami. Very, very Catholic.

[Leopolds Ghost]

12. In a Santeria style -- Castro is considered a Santeria Priest

Among the Cuban poor. One probable reason why his government has remained stable.

They were sacrificing 1000's of chickens (and other animals) in secret ceremonies when Castro went into the hospital,
according to an NPR report.

The reporter went on to note how interestingly, most of Castro's senior aides are former divinity students, who recently asked for a prayer session with Jesuit priests, all of whom happened to be members of the Communist Party.

Clearly religion is a complicated subject in Cuba.

[citizen snips]

14. Castro is an atheist

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fidel_Castro#Castro_and_religion

[RB TexLa]

3. Both government's are officially atheist

Castro doesn't crack much due to how devout the bulk of the people are, I think North Korea is pretty strict.

[BurtWorm]

4. Why do you think their official "religion" is relevant?

Did they issue statements to make you think it was?

[JI7]

6. they might be strict about people following certain religions

but the fact they view themselves as some Gods shows they are not atheist.

[Erika]

7. So how do they view themselves as Gods n/t

[EvolveOrConvolve]

13. Really?

Could you show me where the governments of either Cuba or North Korea have stated that atheism is the "state religion".

A lack of religion or a ban on religion doesn't automatically denote atheism. Castro and Kim Jong Il have simply replaced one set of dogmatic principles with another to enforce their rule.

[RB TexLa]

15. OK, in '91 they declared themselves a secular state

departing from the 1961 declaration

[demosincebirth]

8. North Korea is "atheist."

Its been a known fact for over fifty years.

[BurtWorm]

9. Why is their official "religion" relevant to their support of Iran?

[demosincebirth]

10. You tell me.

I'm just agreeing with post #3.

[BurtWorm]

11. Then please tell me why their official religion is relevant.

I have no idea why it makes any difference in this context.

[Jed Dilligan]

16. "Enemy of my enemy"

A fine mess we're in, isn't it?