Fidel and Religion: Castro Talks on Revolution and Religion with Frei Betto

This startling book is based on a series of conversations between the Cuban leader and a Brazilian priest. The talk is informal and far-ranging, and Betto's questions are often provocative (""Does Cuba export revolution?''). Castro expounds on such matters as his Jesuit education, the effect of the revolution on the Church, the discrimination against Christians in Cuba and the teachings of Christ. Castro is inspired at one point to claim that there are ``ten thousand more coincidences between Christianity and communism than between Christianity and capitalism,'' and concludes that Christians and Marxists can work together. As theologian Cox remarks in the introduction, Castro seems to savor the subject of religion far more than might be expected from a self-described atheist. Cox also suggests the possibility that the book may be ``a clever gambit by a wily and resourceful politician who knows that he needs to have Christians on his side.'' In any case, it is a dazzling performance. (May 22)