New Perspective - Essay Example

If I have no choice but to change my identity of myself, I would choose to change my religious affiliation to being a Mohammedan or Muslim.  The reason would be to feel the prejudices and discrimination hurled at Muslims in this day and age where they are viewed with suspicion if not spite.  In addition, I would like to do that change of religious affiliation to better understand that religion which when taken to extreme, led people to commit atrocity or the self-sacrifice of getting one’s self just to serve a religious purpose. 

Positive and Negative Effect on Social Life

Perhaps the most positive effect of changing one’s religion would be to immerse one’s self in a community that has a different worldview from view.  To be able to feel what they feel as they see that world as being one of them and not as an outsider poking in.   I would also be in touch and be friends with those whom many consider as a “threat” and see how they perceive things. The only downside to it is that I will also share prejudices against them and will run the danger of being ostracized.

Positive and Negative Effects on Family Life

Having a different religion that allows multiple wives (up to four) might allow me to experience how it is to live in an extended family; with different wives or husbands with children or siblings with different mothers or fathers.  If the extended family proves to be cohesive, that would be a very strong support system.  The downside to it however is that the arrangement is prone to jealousy, especially with the wives who have a common husband.  And if the husband does not have much, it will really cause trouble on how to keep the multiple wives.

Positive and Negative Effects on the Job

If I choose to work in the Middle East or any Arab country, the adjustment would be easier on my part as I will be accepted by the host country as one of their own sharing the same kind of Faith.  Although this would subject me to discrimination in a non-Muslim country where prejudices against Muslims are strong.

Positive and Negative Effects on School

I would have the chance to befriend and be really close with peers from school who are Mohammedans.  In turn, I will have the opportunity to learn what a typical student does; and see for myself if they are different from us.  But this is with the risk that I will be viewed with skepticism for bonding with Muslims and might be accused of being a terrorist!

How would what you know and experience before the change affect how you would behave after the change?

Before the change, I have to admit that I share prejudices against Muslims.  Admittedly, I too view them with skepticism and a bit of fear and spite.  But after undergoing the change and living in their world, that perspective will change as I understand them more.  That they are also human beings like me and also feel the way I feel.  That Mohammedan is not really what most of us view, that it is after all a peaceful and loving religion that abhors terror as much as we do.  Their aspiration is similar to ours, that is to live in a prosperous and peaceful community where there is law and order.