No more vacations in Cuba, Joe?
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Nothing gets my blood pressure up than seeing people associated with our denomination using religion for personal gain or for politics. Joe Irwin is quoted as a "spokesman" (do we really have spokespeople?) for the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference of the UCC in today's Miami Herald about the restrictions the government has in place for traveling to Cuba:
''I believe the reinterpretation of the existing religious laws directly restricts my right as an American to practice my religion,'' said Joe Irwin, spokesman for the United Church of Christ's Southeast Pennsylvania Region. ``I think it's offensive, and actually quite scary to Americans that suddenly their right to practice their religion is controlled by the government.''
Could Irwin have been just a little more dramatic? I don't have any idea what religion Joe Irwin is pretending to be a part of, but it's not the United Church of Christ since travel to Cuba for a vacation isn't one of the tenants of our faith.
That's right - vacation. Irwin was kind enough to share his pictures of a recent trip to Cuba in a "Travelogue". I defy anyone to identify anything in this photo album that reflects a mission trip or any other sort of religious travel. I've taken trips just like this... and I've always called them vacations.
In the Travelogue, Irwin details all the beautiful places they went and even notes "In Cuba, every block or neighborhood is organized around a CDR (Committee for Defense of the Revolution.) These CDR groups work to solve local problems," and "Several CDRs got together to throw a huge block party for us. There was much hospitality with lots of music, dancing, food, rum and friendly conversation."
To anyone with even the slightest bit of knowledge about the governmental control structures in Cuba, the CDR's were formed during the Cuban Missile Crisis to keep the locals from speaking out against the revolution or taking part in any uprisings against Castro. Today, the primary function of the CDR is that of a local snitch.
Hope the rum tasted good, Joe.
''I believe the reinterpretation of the existing religious laws directly restricts my right as an American to practice my religion,'' said Joe Irwin, spokesman for the United Church of Christ's Southeast Pennsylvania Region. ``I think it's offensive, and actually quite scary to Americans that suddenly their right to practice their religion is controlled by the government.''Could Irwin have been just a little more dramatic? I don't have any idea what religion Joe Irwin is pretending to be a part of, but it's not the United Church of Christ since travel to Cuba for a vacation isn't one of the tenants of our faith.
That's right - vacation. Irwin was kind enough to share his pictures of a recent trip to Cuba in a "Travelogue". I defy anyone to identify anything in this photo album that reflects a mission trip or any other sort of religious travel. I've taken trips just like this... and I've always called them vacations.
In the Travelogue, Irwin details all the beautiful places they went and even notes "In Cuba, every block or neighborhood is organized around a CDR (Committee for Defense of the Revolution.) These CDR groups work to solve local problems," and "Several CDRs got together to throw a huge block party for us. There was much hospitality with lots of music, dancing, food, rum and friendly conversation."
To anyone with even the slightest bit of knowledge about the governmental control structures in Cuba, the CDR's were formed during the Cuban Missile Crisis to keep the locals from speaking out against the revolution or taking part in any uprisings against Castro. Today, the primary function of the CDR is that of a local snitch.
Hope the rum tasted good, Joe.
