Lets see.... In my point of view (based on your additional details) I would read it in two different ways. The first meaning would be that the sentence considers that since tensions are not brought about by beliefs, it is to do with being together in one environment. For the fact that all religions in that area/country may be treated equally, tensions rise as when religions dispute the thought of equal treatment or coexisting with other religions. The other way to read it would be that, even with all the tensions amongst differing religions, being a part of the same nation on an equal footing means something much more than the differences between one another's religion. Hope it helped. I would not be able to go further considering that was all I could work with :/

One could explain your sentence, but how about providing more context, so that a man can tell you precisely what "it" is in your sentence? For example, if I ask you to explain, "I was happy about that," you would probably like to know what "that" is.