--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I believe that a religious conversion is…" description: "\"I believe that a religious conversion is the only way to stimulate the peoples of the industrialized nations to be willing to make sacrifices for the s..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/arnold-j-toynbee-12041_accepting_i-believe-that-a-religious-conversion-is_2765928.jpg" --- # I believe that a religious conversion is the only way to… ![“I believe that a religious conversion is the only way to stimulate the peoples of the industrialized nations to be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of esho funi (the oneness of self and environment). ... I wish the entire world would accept as an item of religious faith the concept of esho…” quote by Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/arnold-j-toynbee-12041_accepting_i-believe-that-a-religious-conversion-is_2765928.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/arnold-j-toynbee-12041_accepting_i-believe-that-a-religious-conversion-is_2765928.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/fb4/arnold-j-toynbee-12041_accepting_i-believe-that-a-religious-conversion-is_2765928.jpg) > “I believe that a religious conversion is the only way to stimulate the peoples of the industrialized nations to be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of esho funi (the oneness of self and environment). ... I wish the entire world would accept as an item of religious faith the concept of esho funi and its moral obligations.” [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Advocates a new religious concept to unite humanity for environmental sacrifice. **In simple terms:** Proposes a unifying belief for environmental stewardship Key Takeaway Consider the role of shared belief in motivating collective action Themes environment religion collectivism Mood thoughtful critical Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - climate activism - community building - policy advocacy Key Concepts ethical philosophy ecology Questions to Reflect On - What would convince societies to adopt a new faith? - How can existing traditions be integrated? A Different Perspective New belief systems may face resistance or skepticism. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Accepting](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) [Believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe/) [Believe Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/believe-religious-801145/) [Concepts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/concepts/) [Conversion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/conversion/) [Environment](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/environment/) [Funi Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/funi-moral-3205879/) [I believe](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/i-believe/) [Items](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/items/) [Moral](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral/) [Moral obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/moral-obligation/) [Nations](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nations/) [Obligation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/obligation/) [Oneness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/oneness/) [Religion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religion/) [Religious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious/) [Religious Conversion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-conversion-1421114/) [Religious faith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/religious-faith/) [Sacrifice](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifice/) [Sacrifices Sake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacrifices-sake-3205880/) [Sake](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sake/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Way](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/way/) [Willing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/willing/) [Wish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/wish/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [I believe that religious faith schools are highly dubious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bj-rn-ulvaeus/i-believe-that-religious-faith-schools-are-highly-dubious/) [Bjorn Ulvaeus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bj-rn-ulvaeus/) > [I believe not only that religious faith will be victorious, but that it is vital to humankind that it shall be. We may differ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herbert-hoover/i-believe-not-only-that-religious-faith-will-be-victorious-but-that/) [Herbert Hoover](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herbert-hoover/) > [“For all its God language, the Twelve Step program isn’t actually an attempt at religious conversion. Really, it just tries to bring us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marya-hornbacher/for-all-its-god-language-the-twelve-step-program-isn-t-actually-an/) [Marya Hornbacher](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marya-hornbacher/) > [Have you ever observed somebody go through a religious conversion? The person seems perfectly reasonable to you and has no particular concern for religion.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrel-ray/have-you-ever-observed-somebody-go-through-a-religious-conversion-the/) [Darrel Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrel-ray/) > [“It was like a religious conversion for me. In fact, it’s kind of like sex—one of those things that everyone thinks they know all…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/judith-ryan-hendricks/it-was-like-a-religious-conversion-for-me-in-fact-it-s-kind-of-like/) [Judith Ryan Hendricks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/judith-ryan-hendricks/) > [More than half of Americans have changed religions at least once in their adult lifetime. This is - the rate of religious conversion here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/susan-jacoby/more-than-half-of-americans-have-changed-religions-at-least-once-in/) [Susan Jacoby](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/susan-jacoby/) > [Some people who experience a religious conversion seem to undergo a personality change. They can be quite congenial and easygoing when talking about mundane…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/darrel-ray/some-people-who-experience-a-religious-conversion-seem-to-undergo-a/) [Darrel Ray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/darrel-ray/) > [Whatever else the religious Right may be, it is a bonanza for its opponents... Reports of the great terror that is upon us are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-john-neuhaus/whatever-else-the-religious-right-may-be-it-is-a-bonanza-for-its/) [Richard John Neuhaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-john-neuhaus/) > [I believe in one God, and no more; and I hope for happiness beyond this life. I believe in the equality of humans; and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-paine/i-believe-in-one-god-and-no-more-and-i-hope-for-happiness-beyond-this/) [Thomas Paine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-paine/) > [I believe that whatever your religious preference, there has to be a commitment to family because everything really does start there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nia-long/i-believe-that-whatever-your-religious-preference-there-has-to-be-a/) [Nia Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nia-long/) > [“I believe in religion, I believe in religious expression, and I believe that all gods are one God. I do not lie when I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arin-murphy-hiscock/i-believe-in-religion-i-believe-in-religious-expression-and-i-believe/) [Arin Murphy-Hiscock](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arin-murphy-hiscock/) > [“If they’re beautiful I don’t much mind if they’re not true. It’s asking a great deal that things should appeal to your reason as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-somerset-maugham/if-they-re-beautiful-i-don-t-much-mind-if-they-re-not-true-it-s/) [William Somerset Maugham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-somerset-maugham/) > [If we really want to cherish religious freedom, people who want to believe that same-sex marriage should take place, they have a right to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/foster-friess/if-we-really-want-to-cherish-religious-freedom-people-who-want-to/) [Foster Friess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/foster-friess/) > [I believe with religious intensity that good design is for everyone.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/russel-wright/i-believe-with-religious-intensity-that-good-design-is-for-everyone/) [Russel Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/russel-wright/) > [“I do not believe in the court system, at least I do not think it is especially good at finding the truth. No lawyer…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-landay/i-do-not-believe-in-the-court-system-at-least-i-do-not-think-it-is/) [William Landay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-landay/) ## More by Arnold J. Toynbee > [Apathy can be overcome by enthusiasm.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/apathy-can-be-overcome-by-enthusiasm/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [I do not believe that civilizations have to die because civilization is not an organism. It is a product of wills.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/i-do-not-believe-that-civilizations-have-to-die-because-civilization/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [Material power that is not counterbalanced by adequate spiritual power, that is, by love and wisdom, is a curse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/material-power-that-is-not-counterbalanced-by-adequate-spiritual/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [It is already becoming clear that a chapter which had a Western beginning will have to have an Indian ending if it is not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/it-is-already-becoming-clear-that-a-chapter-which-had-a-western/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [The absolute value of love makes life worth while, and so makes Man's strange and difficult situation acceptable. Love cannot save life from death;…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/the-absolute-value-of-love-makes-life-worth-while-and-so-makes-man-s/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [Religion holds the solution to all problems of human relationship, whether they are between parents and children or nation and nation. Sooner or later,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/religion-holds-the-solution-to-all-problems-of-human-relationship/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [We human beings do have some genuine freedom of choice and therefore some effective control over our own destinies. I am not a determinist.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/we-human-beings-do-have-some-genuine-freedom-of-choice-and-therefore/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [Our western science is a child of moral virtues; and it must now become the father of further moral virtues if its extraordinary material…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/our-western-science-is-a-child-of-moral-virtues-and-it-must-now/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [The aim of all education is, or should be, to teach people to educate themselves.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/the-aim-of-all-education-is-or-should-be-to-teach-people-to-educate/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [America is a large friendly dog in a small room. Every time it wags its tail it knocks over a chair.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/america-is-a-large-friendly-dog-in-a-small-room-every-time-it-wags/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [The extinction of race consciousness as between Muslims is one of the outstanding achievements of Islam, and in the contemporary world there is, as…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/the-extinction-of-race-consciousness-as-between-muslims-is-one-of-the/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [It is a paradoxical but profoundly true and important principle of life that the most likely way to reach a goal is to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/it-is-a-paradoxical-but-profoundly-true-and-important-principle-of/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [Of the twenty-two civilizations that have appeared in history, nineteen of them collapsed when they reached the moral state the United States is in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/of-the-twenty-two-civilizations-that-have-appeared-in-history/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [The equation of religion with belief is rather recent.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/the-equation-of-religion-with-belief-is-rather-recent/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) > [The course of human history consists of a series of encounters between individual human beings and God in which each man and woman or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arnold-j-toynbee/the-course-of-human-history-consists-of-a-series-of-encounters/) [Arnold J. Toynbee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) [Explore all 56 Arnold J. Toynbee quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arnold-j-toynbee/) ## More Accepting quotes > [From Augustine down, theologians have tried to compel people to accept their special interpretation of the Scripture, and the tortures of the inquisition, the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matilda-joslyn-gage/from-augustine-down-theologians-have-tried-to-compel-people-to-accept/) [Matilda Joslyn Gage](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matilda-joslyn-gage/) > [Laughing, laughing, laughing, laughing! It is the jester! A voice from the Void, to cheer poor Cicero! I accept your gift, dearest Night Mother.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcus-tullius-cicero/laughing-laughing-laughing-laughing-it-is-the-jester-a-voice-from-the/) [Marcus Tullius Cicero](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcus-tullius-cicero/) > [This duo inside of me causes the perfect opportunity to live and learn twice as fast as those who choose to accept simplicity.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tupac-shakur/this-duo-inside-of-me-causes-the-perfect-opportunity-to-live-and/) [Tupac Shakur](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tupac-shakur/) > [There is something about the South that accepts the supernatural. If you don't accept it and you're having a conversation with someone who does,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alice-englert/there-is-something-about-the-south-that-accepts-the-supernatural-if/) [Alice Englert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alice-englert/) > [We only enter into the full life if our faith gives thanks. Because how else do we accept His free gift of salvation if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ann-voskamp/we-only-enter-into-the-full-life-if-our-faith-gives-thanks-because/) [Ann Voskamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ann-voskamp/) > [Don't be bitter. Everybody suffers. If you can accept your suffering then you will understand other people better. Be grateful for pain. Love life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stephen-colbert/don-t-be-bitter-everybody-suffers-if-you-can-accept-your-suffering/) [Stephen Colbert](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stephen-colbert/) > [It takes an unusually philosophic mind to accept that all one’s suffering might be to no end, really, in the larger scheme of things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/it-takes-an-unusually-philosophic-mind-to-accept-that-all-one-s/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [No nation being under another nation can accept gifts, and kick at the responsibility attached to those gifts, imposed by the conquering nation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mahatma-gandhi/no-nation-being-under-another-nation-can-accept-gifts-and-kick-at-the/) [Mahatma Gandhi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mahatma-gandhi/) > [Even with clothing naked animals, there were people who wanted to send in money. A woman in Santa Barbara, California, sent a $40,000 check.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-abel/even-with-clothing-naked-animals-there-were-people-who-wanted-to-send/) [Alan Abel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-abel/) > [Society understands the architecture of academia and knows there are relevant qualifications in different fields, and the media accepts the idea of specialisations and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jay-griffiths/society-understands-the-architecture-of-academia-and-knows-there-are/) [Jay Griffiths](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jay-griffiths/) > [Whatever your conscious mind assumes and believes to be true, your subconscious mind will accept and bring to pass. Believe in good fortune, divine…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-murphy/whatever-your-conscious-mind-assumes-and-believes-to-be-true-your/) [Joseph Murphy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-murphy/) > [Losing someone is easy, but accepting it is hard.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/losing-someone-is-easy-but-accepting-it-is-hard/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [… and so he tried to accept the ache in his heart as what Dr. Larch would call the common symptoms of normal life.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-irving/and-so-he-tried-to-accept-the-ache-in-his-heart-as-what-dr-larch/) [John Irving](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-irving/) > [I think what was special about 'Music by Prudence' was the classic story of the title subject's life path - from being an outcast…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roger-ross-williams/i-think-what-was-special-about-music-by-prudence-was-the-classic/) [Roger Ross Williams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roger-ross-williams/) > [As my films are born at the moment when they are reflected into another person's mind and memories, there are no misconceptions. I totally…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pirjo-honkasalo/as-my-films-are-born-at-the-moment-when-they-are-reflected-into/) [Pirjo Honkasalo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pirjo-honkasalo/) [Browse all 6,788 Accepting quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/accepting/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I believe that a religious conversion is the only way to stimulate the peoples of the industrialized nations to be willing to make sacrifices for the sake of esho funi (the oneness of self and environment). ... I wish the entire world would accept as an item of religious faith the concept of esho funi and its moral obligations.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Arnold J. 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