#168 Relations with Cuba

Program #168 “Relations with Cuba 1/18/2015 – Synopsis

Last month, President Obama announced that he would normalize relations with
Cuba and break with the 60-year-old U.S. policy of isolation. The President stated, “I believe that we can do more to support the Cuban people and promote our values through engagement. After all, these fifty years have shown that isolation has not worked. It’s time for a new approach.”

Conservatives suspect that the President’s pragmatic reasons for ending the embargo are driven by underlying favorable attitudes toward communism. The left has never thought it necessary to separate from communism because, according to their socialist mindset, communism isn’t so bad.

The big question here is whether or not our foreign policy toward rogue regimes should be based on utilitarianism. So in one case we decide it is economically better to separate from the Communist Soviets, while in another case we give Communist China a most-favorable-nation trade status. Rather than utilitarianism, isn’t there a high moral law of God that directs a Christian nation not to normalize relations with countries that espouse secular-atheistic government?

The broader principle is whether we change evil by separating from evil, or by infiltrating and engaging evil. This question applies not only to governments, but also to individuals, families and churches.

Scripture References: 1 Kings 22; Proverbs 28:5; Matthew 5:39; 2 Corinthians 6:14-17; Ephesians 5:11; 2 Chronicles 18:1-5, 19:1-3, 20:35-37