The Qualitative Method is a Highly Adaptable Tool
The qualitative research method is a highly adaptable tool that enables researchers to investigate a broad range of questions and hypotheses about societal changes resulting from a particular philosophy or social or cultural shift. In the case of Cuba, Fidel Castro proclaimed the country as a Communist, Marxist-Leninist, Socialist state to assimilate Cuba fully. According to Tom White, in an impassioned speech, Castro declared, “Today we say with greater force than ever before: socialism or death, Marxism-Leninism or death!”[1] The impact of Castro’s Revolution achieved complete control over the church, its leaders, and the subsequent persecution. Castro swiftly implemented a re-education program that would fundamentally transform Cuba’s future by indoctrinating its citizens with Communist, Socialist, and Marxist-Leninist ideologies.
Hypothesis: The hypothesis proposes that after years of education in a subject that suppresses dissent, a new society with a Communist, Socialist, and Marxist-Leninist ideological mindset emerges.
Qualitative researchers rely on theoretical frameworks to structure their studies and aid in interpreting their findings. The new “Fidelista” takeover of Cuba is fundamental to understanding the congregations and leaders in the Christian church under investigation. Creswell states, “It [theoretical frameworks] are used as a broad explanation for behavior and attitudes, and it may be complete with variables, constructs, and hypotheses.”[2] Using theory, readers gain a more profound understanding of Cuba’s intricate social interactions and experiences.
Hypothesis: The hypothesis reveals that Fidel and his regime assimilated the Christian church in Cuba into Communist ideologies through education. Additionally, the Government’s educational initiatives promoted Marxism and Socialism, leading to a reimagining of Christian worship. This involved connecting biblical teachings with Marxist-Leninist ideology, advocating for Atheism and Socialism, and endorsing the redistribution of land ownership. Each of these ideologies directly impacted the Christian church in Cuba, and the research put forth in this work directly exposes it.
Employing Methodology to Construct Theories Relating to Projected Outcomes
Qualitative research employs a methodology that constructs theories relating to various outcomes. This is accomplished through an inductive process of collecting extensive information from participants and organizing it into categories or themes, such as Marxism, Communism, Socialism, Theology, and persecution. By doing so, the influence of these ideologies on the Christian church in Cuba can be identified and further developed into patterns, theories, or generalizations. These insights can then be compared to personal experiences or existing literature, leading to diverse results.
US Politicians Using the Same Verbiage and Tactics as Fidel’s Communist Regime
When conducting research, it is vital to acknowledge the significance of examining the phenomenological effects on the Cuban church. A fact taken into account is when Fidel Castro declared Cuba a Communist nation, guided by Marxist-Leninist ideology, which contradicts the belief in God. One author explained it this way: “In 1962, Castro’s government seized and shut down more than 400 Catholic schools, claiming that they spread “dangerous” beliefs among the people. Many church leaders, including pastors and priests, were also sent to re-education through labor farms along with other “undesirables.”[3] On October 6, 2023, an article on Forbes was written by Mark Joyella, a former broadcast journalist who covers media. “In an interview with CNN, Hillary Clinton compared supporters of former President Donald Trump to a “cult” and said that “maybe there needs to be a formal deprogramming of the cult members.[4]
“Sadly, so many of those extremists, those MAGA extremists, take their marching orders from Donald Trump, who has no credibility left by any measure,” Clinton told CNN’s Christiane Amanpour in an interview that aired Thursday night. “He’s only in it for himself.”[5] Seizing on Clinton’s comments, the Trump campaign issued a statement Thursday night: “President Trump has said countless times that they are only coming after him, because he stands in their way from coming after you — and Hillary Clinton just confirmed that to be true. Tens of millions of Americans will reject the Democrat Party’s re-education camp agenda in November 2024 when we make Donald Trump the 47th President of the United States.”[6] Who is the person who made those statements? Hillary Clinton. Consequently, the educational system was reformed in Cuba to align with these principles. In this context, the research questions and hypotheses are highly important, providing a compelling framework for our study.
Red Flags of Ideologies that Creep into the Church
As a body of born-again believers, we must watch for the red flags of any ideology that creeps into the church, eventually slowly changing it and leading it away from the inerrant Word of God. Recently, speaking to a friend about the challenges his church is going through. The church has adopted what people call Wokeism, but let us call it for what it is: SIN. They do not adhere to the Word of God; if they genuinely believed in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word, they would not wholly oppose what it says. Yes, the church is open to anyone and everyone, but you cannot and will not stay the same person when the revelation and redemption of Jesus Christ is upon you. You become a new creation, and what was before is forever gone. I wonder how many of you might be experiencing the same situation in your church. What can you do to help people see that the Bible is the inerrant Word of God?
[1] Tom White and Don Tanner, The Spiritual Battle for Cuba: Pulling the Devil’s Tail, 9.
[2] John W. Creswell and J. David Creswell, J. David, Research Design, 61.
[3] Lena Lopez, CUBA: Draconian new restrictions on “home religious meetings” Christian Solidarity Worldwide September 15, 2005, 2.
[4] Mark Joyella, https://www.forbes.com/sites/markjoyella/2023/10/06/hillary-clinton-suggests-formal-deprogramming-for-maga-extremists-who-still-support-trump/
[5] Ibid.
[6] MAGA Inc. https://www.magapac.com/news/decfa96d-3c71-4b5f-8e9e-9a9e470cb9be