Peace Road- " Preserving Religious Freedom"
Written by : Gale Alves
The Peace Road event in Colorado on Preserving Religious Freedom brought together a diverse group of faith leaders and community members in the welcoming space of the Unitarian Universalist Church. Seven faith traditions were represented, including United Methodist, Baháʼí, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, First Disciple Church, Unitarian Universalist, Family Federation for World Peace and Unification, and the Sacred–Secular Continuum. Among the participants were two pastors and eleven lay people, four of whom hold leadership roles within their communities.
The gathering opened on a note of harmony as Pastor Kevin of the First Disciple Church, accompanied by a guitarist from his congregation, led everyone in singing “Let There Be Peace on Earth.” The shared song created a sense of unity and reverence, setting the tone for the afternoon. The host pastor of the Unitarian Universalist Church then extended a warm welcome, followed by Gale Alves, who spoke on behalf of the Universal Peace Federation (UPF) and the Women’s Federation for World Peace (WFWP). Gale Alves offered remarks on the mission of Peace Road and the vision of these organizations, founded by Father and Mother Moon. She emphasized their lifelong work as spiritual leaders and explained the movement’s unique view of God as both Heavenly Father and Heavenly Mother. She also underscored the value of religious freedom, reminding attendees of the real and present dangers many believers face today.
Speakers from the Baháʼí and Latter-day Saints communities shared personal and historical accounts of religious persecution, including the longstanding oppression of Baháʼís in Iran and challenges faced by Latter-day Saints in both the United States and abroad. Their testimonies reminded everyone of the importance of vigilance and solidarity across traditions when it comes to defending freedom of belief.
The centerpiece of the event was a Water Ceremony. Each participant introduced themselves and their faith tradition, then completed the phrase “Religious freedom is important because…” before pouring colorful water into a shared bowl. This symbolic act of unity affirmed both the individuality of each voice and the power of their collective witness.
Among the reflections, one Latter-day Saints representative shared, “The fight for religious freedom is much more than protecting the right to worship, it is about preserving the dignity, compassion, and respect that all people deserve. May we all strive, across faiths and borders, to create a more compassionate world for everyone.” A representative from UPF/WFWP reflected, “Religious freedom is important because we need to keep God alive in the minds and hearts of humankind.”
As the gathering concluded, participants expressed heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity to come together in mutual respect and prayer. The event affirmed a shared conviction that protecting religious freedom is essential not only for the right to worship but also for the preservation of human dignity, compassion, and peace across all faiths.
