An essential part of conflict and how it arises is the idea of ​​identity. Who a person is can determine how they present, interpret, and reciprocate to another party. Religion is something that the majority of the world uses to define their identity. Many people may view religion as an important cause in creating conflict, as there have been and continue to be many conflicts rooted in religious differences. Today, too many people overlook the aspects of healing that can be applied equally across many religions, and instead focus on its ability to divide people. It is distressing to know that “elements of [religion] that advocate openness, diversity, and unity have been a woefully underutilized resource in conflict resolution generally” (Goldberg and Blancke, 2011). However, I want to analyze the other half of the conflict in relation to this intense personal identifier. I ask what role does religion play in conflict resolution? I was raised Catholic and was therefore taught many moral principles such as respect, honesty and reconciliation. I personally believe that these values, which were instilled in me by my parents and my church, affect the way I handle conflict. Religion is a key factor in peacebuilding, even in conflicts between different belief systems. I specifically want to focus on how religion and identity are linked in their effects on resolution, examples where religion has been seen as the cause of conflict, and the role of Catholicism in particular in the restoration of peace. True to my beliefs as a Catholic, I hope to improve myself thanks to what I learn here as well. A huge aspect of religion that is not necessarily neglected, but perhaps more unconsciously...... middle of paper ...... ty with the Ireland conflict. All of these examples and elements of conflict lead to the revelation that one major theme overlaps them all: religion. “‘Being religious’ can itself foster a sense of shared values, changing the premises of cooperation and a relationship based on negotiation, while diverting attention from transcendent questions of identity” (Harpviken and Roislien, 2008). I realized that there are many different perspectives on conflict and, therefore, conflict resolution; I realized the importance of identity and the role it plays in both religion and conflict; Eventually, I realized that by bringing these two elements together, religion is a plausible and almost necessary tool in conflict resolution and peacebuilding. Conflict is an inescapable place for religion – it is, I believe, for the good.