The Power of Intelligence: A Personal Reflection on Legacy, Growth, and Truth

The Power of Intelligence: A Personal Reflection on Legacy, Growth, and Truth

By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com

As a child, I was always told I had the potential to achieve great things. But it wasn’t until I grew older that I realized the depth of my own intellectual heritage. My father, a man whose IQ surpassed 190, passed down a legacy of critical thinking, intellect, and ambition. I, too, possess a high IQ—over 145—but my story isn't just about genetics. It’s about what I chose to do with the intellectual abilities I inherited, and how those decisions shaped my path from a former Muslim and socialist to a Christian conservative.

Growing up, my life was steeped in the teachings and practices of Islam. Like many children of immigrant families, I was taught that Islam was the absolute truth, that it defined everything about who I was. But deep inside, something didn’t sit right. As I grew more aware of the world around me, I began to see the contradictions in the belief system I had inherited. This discomfort led me to question everything—something that a high IQ can push you to do. But questioning one’s faith in a society that mandates conformity is not an easy task, especially when those around you are ardent believers.

My intellectual curiosity led me down a path that eventually culminated in my departure from Islam. I chose to study history, philosophy, and theology, with a focus on exploring the roots of the doctrines I had been raised on. What I found was deeply disturbing: a religion that suppressed free thought, innovation, and individual expression. My intellect, once confined to the rigid doctrines of Islam, was now liberated. It became clear that I had been misled for far too long.

My personal evolution didn’t stop with my abandonment of Islam. Having grown up in an environment where socialism was seen as the ultimate solution to inequality, I was drawn to left-wing politics during my young adult years. My high IQ, coupled with a desire for change, made socialism seem like the perfect answer to the world’s problems. But as I delved deeper into socialist ideologies, I encountered the same contradictions and limitations that I had found in Islam. I began to understand the inherent flaws of centralized control, the destruction of individual freedom, and the inevitable authoritarianism that socialism breeds. This was another intellectual awakening—a moment of clarity that would ultimately steer me toward conservatism.

I moved further from the left and embraced conservatism, particularly the Christian values that now form the bedrock of my life. Christianity offered a moral framework that balanced individual freedom with compassion, and it provided an understanding of the human condition that resonated with me deeply. I found peace in the teachings of Christ, understanding that His words were meant not just for spiritual salvation, but for guidance in how to live a meaningful, righteous life.

Now, as a former executive director of CAIR Columbus and president of the Muslim Forum of Utah, I look back at my intellectual journey with both gratitude and sorrow. Gratitude for the critical thinking skills I inherited from my father’s remarkable intellect. Sorrow because, like many others, I was led astray by ideologies that promised utopia but delivered chaos. I realize now that true freedom and enlightenment come not from rigid ideologies, but from embracing truth, questioning assumptions, and striving for a better understanding of the world.

It’s ironic to think that my intellectual capacity, once used to defend ideologies that shackled the human spirit, now fuels my understanding of the importance of liberty, faith, and the pursuit of truth. I know now that my IQ, my father’s legacy, and my journey are all part of a greater story—one that is still unfolding.

I share my story not to boast of my intelligence, but to show that intellect, if used wisely, can lead to a deeper understanding of oneself and the world. It’s not about being “smarter” than anyone else; it’s about recognizing that true wisdom lies in the ability to think critically, reject false narratives, and seek truth. And for me, the truth is clear: I am a Christian conservative, grounded in the teachings of Christ and in the freedom that comes with faith and intellect.

Citations:

• DeLancey, Craig. The Nature of Intelligence: Genetic and Environmental Contributions to Cognitive Ability. New York: Academic Press, 2015.
• Lewis, Bernard. Islam and the West. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1993.
• Marx, Karl. The Communist Manifesto. New York: International Publishers, 1964.
• Orwell, George. 1984. London: Harvill Secker, 1949.