Countries With Religious Freedom

Countries with religious freedom
Have an increase of peace.
As more seek for that wisdom
That, through faith, does increase

While still remains contention
There's a striving to be fair
And through love's extension
We listen because we care

https://news-ca.churchofjesuschrist.org/article/a-partner-in-the-cause-of-peace

A Partner in the Cause of Peace

First in a seven-part series on international religious freedom

 

"When we think of peace we generally have in mind a region without war, a nation without strife, or a city without violence. But peace is more than the absence of conflict. Peace is the habit of engaging differences, the practice of negotiating disagreements between foes. It’s a culture of fairmindedness. Even the most peaceful societies have contention, but they don’t let it tear them apart."

"Peace has many factors — the history of a people, the structure of government, the economic environment and the level of political inclusion. Freedom of religion is also crucial. Countries that protect the diversity of religious experience tend to have fewer armed conflicts, greater civil and political liberties, greater press and economic freedoms, better health outcomes, higher levels of income, better education and higher overall human development.[3]"

Peace is more than the absence of conflicts
It is the practice of listening and sharing from the heart
It is respecting the words of pastors and prophets
And not letting contention tear you apart

Let religious freedom flow freely its course
So extremists won't win hearts and minds by default
Open the flood channels of public discourse
And look for the goodness in faiths, not the faults

A region without war A nation without strife A city without violence A people at peace in life

"In the end, religious freedom is not about eliminating rivals and intimidating people into agreeing with the majority. Rather, religious freedom is about achieving peace among differences and reducing fear so everyone can have confidence in their lawful place in society."

[Verse 1] Countries with religious freedom Have an increase of peace As more seek for that wisdom That, through faith, does increase While still remains contention There's a striving to be fair And through love's extension We listen because we care [Pre-Chorus] Peace is more than absence More than empty space It grows when hearts are open And we choose a kinder place [Chorus] Peace is in the listening (peace is in the listening) Peace is in the sharing (peace is in the sharing) Respect the words we carry And keep contention from tearing [Verse 2] Let religious freedom flow freely its course So extremists won't win hearts and minds by default Open the flood channels of public discourse And look for the goodness in faiths, not the faults A region without war A nation without strife A city without violence A people at peace in life [Bridge] Not the silence of the wounded Not the fear inside the room It's the courage to keep speaking And let mercy make us bloom [Chorus] Peace is in the listening (peace is in the listening) Peace is in the sharing (peace is in the sharing) Respect the words we carry 

And keep contention from tearing