As I write this Pope Francis is visiting Cuba, partly to enliven the ministry of the Catholic Church there. Although most Cubans might identify themselves as Catholic, fewer than 10% show any real interest in the church, except through the memory of tradition. Some of the precipitous decline in public support of this arm of the Christian Church relates to the victory of Fidel Castro in 1959 that made Cuba a Communist State. I remember well the news break in ’59 announcing the Castro take-over. It remained for fifty years with Castro, and was turned over to his brother a few years ago. The brother appears to be loosening some of the dictatorial elements of the regime. It has been taken as a moment when various entities can appeal for improvement for their interests, and the interests of the people. The Pope has met with both leaders, and expects to create a better atmosphere for the church. In the highly publicized visit, a number of expatriates, persons from the United States, have been permitted to return during the period of the visit. In interviews with some of these tourists, it is made clear how persons feel, in their deepest yearnings for the country of their birth. One man, expressing appreciation to the USA, for refuge, even naturalization for citizenship, gave a summary response: I was born Cuban. I will always be Cuban. The look on his face, the sound of his voice, verified him. There is commonly a mystery dedication to our place of birth.
Reporters investigating some of the history of what has happened to the religious life of some deprived people found they had increased in the intensity relating to religious life and themes. They found a striking increase in the charismatic (Pentecostal & Protestant) context of the church, but also in some of the old native expressions that are deplored by both Catholic and Protestant leaders and theologians. These do not reflect the redemption of Christ, the love of God, or personal peace important to Christian faith. There is large participation by adherents, but some ferocity that has been identified as pagan in the history of the church, and characteristic of the religions of pre-Christian periods, especially in Africa, and South America before the influx of the Christian influence. In the shifting, both honored and deplored we find something.
Our concern here is to perceive what nationhood and religion have to do with the individual and Christianity. It is perceived, from Scripture, that nationality is important in common grace, necessary for the management of society. Some government, no matter how incompetent or misdirected, is better than no government. That is poor compliment. The Christian is perceived to have, in commitment to Christ, made social loyalty lesser, but important. God protects his own by claiming them as citizens of his kingdom. This is their primary citizenship. They then become ambassadors of his kingdom to all nations for good, even when the nations are negative to God. They are dual citizens, or ought to be, either in the country of their birth, or in process made citizens of some other nation. Life is affected by both ways of life – in righteousness and leadership from heaven and Christ, but also to the country of which they are in birth/legal relationship. If their secular nations refuse recognition of their heavenly relationship, they continue as ambassadors of Christ to their secular nation. Nations are benefited by Christian citizens, likely in ways that are higher in meaning than for the non-Christian. This is, when ideally applied, to make a citizen of truth, of service to others, of loyalty to purposes that do not violate righteousness, but also to tolerate whatever judgment his/her government may determine. A study of nations where Christians have influence in the governments of their citizenship will show superior rights, functions, responsibilities, opportunities, and values. The Christian, rightly oriented, yearns and works for the good of the peoples of the world, but especially of his/her own family and country. That good is to be practiced, proclaimed, and for which we pray. God is first loyalty. It would make an interesting study to follow the thinking of pagan (not bad, but not believing) leaders who have used the Christian context and friendship in the conduct of administration. History appears to suggest that the inclusion has offered greater loyalty, strength and improvement from citizens than for those nations that follow wholly secular patterns and disregard the place of God in natural life. Christians tend to make good citizens, causing little or no disruption. They are ready to support what is good (improving) and protective (legal) in society. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020