Who’s Right?
Kabir Vega Castellanos
HAVANA TIMES — In Cuba, schools have been almost fascist, well at least post-1959. Ever since primary school, whenever we have talked about the universe’s origins, I remember how teachers used to give us Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution as the absolute and irrefutable truth.
Maybe two decades ago, when religious groups were small and unnoticeable, that wasn’t a problem. Religion wasn’t banned by the law, but it was in reality. Materialism was (is) official and, therefore, supreme.
When freedom of religion or belief was finally legitimized (up to a certain point) and Christian beliefs were made attainable, for example, not only were they ignored in our education but were also sometimes the subject of our teachers’ mockery.
A lot of the time, this led to students denying their own beliefs or to becoming fanatics of their faith as a sign of social protest. I have seen both of these things happen, and it’s unfortunate because they were good people and they used to get on with their classmates.
Now, what’s the absolute truth?
A few days ago, someone shared a movie called “Evolution Vs. God” with me. The movie is really dynamic, it asks prompt questions and uses the same cutting tone that religious people have been victim to. It features a large number of interviewees, from university students studying different degrees to graduates with vast academic experience.
They all proudly claim to be atheist and believe in the theory of natural selection as the origins of life. However, after several key questions, none of them manage to give concrete evidence to prove that evolution is “the beginning of everything”. Slowly, the interviewer proves to them that their absolute truth is quite simply a belief that they have faith in and the arrogant atheists end up admitting that they are only following an unproven theory, the opinions of those they believe to be supporters and whatever is written in science books. That is to say: they have blind faith.
If you haven’t seen the documentary I have talked about and my article has touched you in a positive or negative way, I recommend you watch it if you have an open mind, as it’s really worth your time. Nevertheless, I must say that I respect and accept what the video shows, but only until half-way through, as the interviewer contradicts himself at the end.
Maybe the absolute truth about our origins will always remain a mystery or maybe science or another movement can prove it with concrete evidence at another time. But, with what we have right now, the most honest thing to do would be to admit the following, like Socrates: “All I know is that I know nothing.”
Don’t even go down that route Kabir. There is no absolute proof of Evolution but the overwhelming evidence points to it being true. Less than 0.01 percent of biologists in the field contest the main tenets of the theory. If you want to believe anything else you are on a loser as much as if you want to believe the world is flat or that Santa Claus brings presents on Christmas Eve.
Maybe the Rev. Dr. Carlos Emilio Ham would be better engaged in praying for Ariel Ruiz Urquila – see next article!
There is an invasion of protestant churches from USA, with tons of money they are creating a big movement.
I do believe this post from Kabir is a sad sample of the results of that penetration.
To question the scientific knowledge from scientists bases is a great merit, but to question it from ideological or religious bases is a dangerous one, a bid step back.
To call to the Cuban education Fascist is to be exceeded in the critic, it may be totalitarian and aberrant, but it is not Fascist.
Kabir, this is an excellent article. I do not read this as an argument for, or against, either perspective, but pointing out that even science based perspectives involve a fair amount of blind faith. Throughout the history of science and medicine our elders have defended black and white opinions that have been proven wrong over time.
We should always question our assumptions. And we should acknowledge that science only takes us so far in understanding the universe. I believe we know far less than we do not know.
You have a wonderfully inquisitive mind and your writing is refreshing. Keep up the good work. The more you stir up readers’ reactions, the more successful a writer you are becoming.
Anna, Kabir Vega is somewhat obviously falling into the hands of the purveyors of “faith”. His knowledge of the political extremes is limited to communism – with anything that is not of the Marxist/Leninist ‘faith’ being either ‘neo-liberal’ or ‘fascist’. As a child I saw photographs of the bodies of 13 Italian fascists which had been recovered from a well in Northern Italy near Grado. Prior to execution by the communists, they had all been castrated. Both the victims and the executioners were Italians. Such are the two extremes of politics, both evil!
“In Cuba, schools have been almost fascist, well at least post-1959. “, says Kabir Vega. You should immediately study fascism and thereafter apologize for using this word about Cuban schools.
Non Catholic Right wing Christians are at the vanguard of the USA’s inevitable putsch to re-take Cuba. This phenomena occurs throughout the continent.
Today they will be handing out food and gifts and showing a nice video…..
Tomorrow they will be trying to prohibit a woman’s right to make choices concerning her own body and reproduction.
Having said that, one must also point out that a belief in Darwinism is also a kind of faith not completely different to having faith in creationism.
There is more scientific substance behind it Darwinism, but there is no 100% conclusive proof.
Kabir, call the rector of the protestant seminary in Matanzas, the Rev. Dr. Carlos Emilio Ham and have a dialogue with him. Say I suggested the call. He will be a very helpful conversation partner on the subject of “is God real or not, and why.”
Sounds to me like a bit of fundamentalist propaganda from one of the Christian right churches in the US. Cuba (to use a Trump(f)ism) is being “invaded” by such organizations. So deep are the believes that often the leading pastors can afford private jets – I guess they get advice from their monetary Gods when “up there”.
Lets hope that Kabir escapes their clutches!
Quite often there is no absolute truth as individual experiences and prejudices (and yes the official party line) colour your interpretations. BUT if you think creationism is a valid alternative to evolution I think you are going to have to think again… or do you also think the earth is flat?