Religions do have a significant statistical explanatory power for peace. While religion undoubtedly plays a significant role in many conflicts and is a feature of many violent confrontations, when analyzing the global statistical determinants of peace, there are other factors that are more strongly associated with peace than religion. Multivariate regression analysis reveals that economic inequality, corruption, political terror, gender, and political instability have a much more significant connection with the levels of peace in a country than any of the tested religious traits. For instance, religious diversity has some influence on peace.

Many of the least peaceful countries do not have high levels of religious diversity. While discussions are often focused on the negative role of religion, it is important to highlight the potentially positive role that religion can play in peacebuilding, with inter-faith dialogue and other religiously-motivated movements having a positive impact on peace. Countries with greater religious freedoms are generally more peaceful, whereas countries with less religious freedom are generally less peaceful.

Religious freedom is defined as the absence of government restrictions towards religious practice and expression, whereas religious hostility is defined as the absence of aggression or violence towards particular religious beliefs and practices in a society. Two ways in which religions can facilitate greater peace are through the common benefits of group membership, and the power of inter-faith dialogue for conflict resolution. This is highlighted by the number of groups dedicated to inter-faith dialogue such as Religions for Peace which is a global organization with hundreds of affiliates.