Refuting the Woke Agenda at BYU 

By Bobby Darvish - darvishintelligence.blogspot.com

As an Iranian-American ex-Muslim, former Imam, and conservative Republican, I’m here to tell you that the push for so-called “Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion” (DEI) is a leftist Trojan horse, designed to infiltrate and dismantle our Judeo-Christian and capitalist values. This agenda isn’t just a matter of political preference—it’s a direct assault on the very foundation of Western civilization, which BYU, a religious university, is now accused of quietly embracing.

Utah recently made headlines by passing HB261, a law that bars public universities like the University of Utah (U of U) and Utah Valley University (UVU) from maintaining DEI committees. Good riddance, I say. However, the argument arises about BYU, a private religious university, and whether its continued DEI operations, through its Office of Belonging, make it "the wokest college in the state."

Let’s be clear: BYU is not a liberal cesspool, and anyone who suggests so is missing the bigger picture. BYU remains deeply rooted in conservative principles, from its hiring practices to the doctrinal foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS). Yet, there is pressure to adopt progressive narratives under the guise of inclusion. This creates tension, especially as institutions are forced to grapple with conflicting ideologies.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: What It Really Means

DEI sounds righteous, but it’s fundamentally flawed. As someone who has lived through the indoctrination of both Islamic and leftist ideologies, I recognize the slippery slope here. Diversity, as interpreted by the woke left, isn’t about genuine inclusion; it’s about conformity to their ideology, which undermines meritocracy, personal responsibility, and traditional values.

Inclusion, as taught by the left, has nothing to do with Christ’s message of universal love and salvation. The left uses “inclusion” to push their agenda of identity politics, elevating certain groups at the expense of others. Equity, rather than the equal treatment of individuals under the law, becomes a push for equal outcomes—regardless of effort or ability. God calls for personal accountability, not for participation trophies handed out in the name of "equity."

The LDS Church’s Doctrine of Belonging

The LDS Church’s doctrine of belonging is rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ, not in the Marxist undertones of modern DEI. Christ taught us to love one another and extend grace. However, love does not mean endorsing sin or submitting to ideological coercion. Just because we are called to show love and tolerance does not mean that we turn a blind eye to behaviors or beliefs that undermine God’s eternal plan for us.

Some progressive factions have twisted this teaching of belonging to justify embracing doctrines of inclusion and diversity in ways that are incompatible with the core tenets of Christianity. Ethnocentrism and xenophobia do indeed exist, but they are fringe issues being weaponized to guilt conservatives into accepting everything from radical gender theory to the dismantling of traditional family structures.

DEI vs. Conservative Values at BYU

There’s no question that BYU’s administration, including its president Shane Reese, faces pressure to address criticisms that BYU is becoming too liberal. But the university’s enduring conservative culture, especially in departments like business, math, and computer science, stands in stark contrast to the liberal arts and social sciences, which often push these ideologies.

The notion that BYU is becoming “woke” due to its Office of Belonging is a misinterpretation of what is really happening. True belonging comes from the gospel of Christ, not from virtue-signaling or adopting the latest leftist talking points. The fact that BYU hasn’t “skipped a beat” with its DEI initiatives should be seen for what it is: a cautious attempt to navigate the cultural waters while staying true to its religious roots. The Office of Belonging, when applied in a gospel-centered manner, should reflect love and understanding without compromising on core values.

Conservative Christians and the Fight Against Leftist Ideologies

Here’s the reality: DEI, as it’s commonly applied today, does not belong in Christian institutions. It’s designed to infiltrate and divide by focusing on superficial identities rather than the unifying message of Christ. Conservative Christians must resist this pressure. We must reclaim our institutions by reaffirming capitalism, meritocracy, and the principles of individual liberty that have made America—and Western civilization—great.

As an ex-Muslim who has left the chains of Islam behind for the freedom of Christ, I see the parallels between the woke agenda and the oppressive ideologies I escaped. Whether it’s Islamic theocracy or Marxist-inspired DEI, both systems seek to control thoughts, actions, and beliefs under the banner of a false sense of justice. BYU, and all Christian universities, must resist this tide and stand firm in the truth of the gospel and the values of free enterprise and personal responsibility.

The Real Threat to Christianity

The real threat to Christianity is not some supposed issue of ethnocentrism or xenophobia within conservative communities. The threat is the moral relativism and cultural Marxism that have infiltrated our schools, our workplaces, and even our churches. These ideologies work to dismantle absolute truth, replacing it with a fluid, ever-changing set of principles based on identity politics.

Utah’s HB261 is a step in the right direction, but private religious institutions like BYU must continue to walk a fine line. True inclusion should focus on a gospel-centered approach, which teaches us to love one another while standing firm in God’s truth. There is no room in conservative Christianity for the type of “inclusion” that forces us to abandon our convictions. BYU, and all religious institutions, should take note: Faithful adherence to Christ’s teachings must remain the guiding light, not the fickle demands of the world.

---

Citations:

• Utah State Legislature. HB261 Public Education Amendments. Accessed October 2024. https://le.utah.gov/~2023/bills/static/HB0261.html
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. "The Doctrine of Belonging." Accessed October 2024. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/doctrine-of-belonging