Why I Am an Iranian Outlaw but a Law-Abiding American Citizen
By Bobby Darvish
darvishintelligence.blogspot.com
Growing up as an Iranian in the tumultuous years following the Islamic Revolution of 1979, I quickly learned the stark contrast between what it meant to be an "outlaw" in the eyes of an oppressive regime and the profound sense of duty and respect that comes with being a law-abiding citizen of the United States of America. My journey—one that traverses from being a devout Muslim leader to an ex-Muslim, a former socialist to a Christian conservative, and an Iranian who fled the Islamic Republic of Iran for freedom—has granted me a unique perspective on the importance of law, order, and individual liberty.
The Iranian "Outlaw" Identity
In Iran, the term "outlaw" was not one I embraced willingly, but rather one that was thrust upon me. As a young boy, I witnessed the brutal realities of life under the Islamic Republic. Under the regime’s draconian laws, any dissent—whether political, religious, or even social—was considered a criminal act. As a son of a persecuted family, I was labeled an "outsider" simply because of my heritage and my family's beliefs. In a society where the state controlled religion, speech, and even personal identity, I quickly learned that to defy the regime was to be an "outlaw."
This label took on more meaning during my years as an executive director at CAIR Columbus and president of the Muslim Forum of Utah, where I worked closely with the Muslim-American community. I witnessed firsthand how radical elements of Islam, both in the West and in the Middle East, sought to maintain an ideological hold on followers—regardless of the toll it took on individual freedoms. At the time, I thought I was fighting for justice and equality, not realizing how deeply these causes were intertwined with Marxist ideologies and political Islam. In my younger years, I was seduced by these ideologies, believing they were the pathway to change. But soon I realized that these causes were nothing more than a shackle on the human spirit.
As I began to peel back the layers of my identity and the system in which I was raised, I saw the deeper corruption of the Islamic regime—the exploitation of faith to justify authoritarian control, the suppression of freedom, and the destruction of Iran's rich pre-Islamic heritage. When I made the difficult decision to leave Islam behind, I not only became an apostate in the eyes of my family and society, but I also became an outlaw in the eyes of the very system that sought to stifle independent thought.
Becoming a Law-Abiding American Citizen
When I immigrated to the United States, I found myself in a completely different world—a world where individual rights were enshrined in law, and where personal freedoms were not only protected but celebrated. In America, I no longer had to live in fear of being labeled a criminal for questioning the status quo or for simply choosing to follow my conscience.
Over time, I came to realize that being a law-abiding citizen of the United States is not merely about obeying the laws of the land; it is about upholding the values that make this nation great: liberty, freedom of religion, freedom of expression, and the right to self-determination. These principles stand in stark contrast to the oppressive regimes I left behind. As a former socialist, I now see clearly how socialist ideologies conflict with these freedoms. Socialism seeks to centralize power, whereas true Americanism values decentralized authority and individual autonomy.
My conversion to Christianity and my embrace of conservative values marked a further evolution in my understanding of law and order. Christianity, with its emphasis on individual responsibility, personal salvation, and moral law, has provided me with a clear moral framework. Christianity teaches that true freedom comes through following divine law, and that human law is best when it respects the sanctity of the individual and the divine order established by God.
In embracing the Constitution of the United States, I adopted a deeper respect for the law that transcends mere legalism. American law is grounded in justice, not in arbitrary decrees made by authoritarian rulers. The American system of government is designed to protect the individual from the whims of the state and to ensure that the rule of law, rather than the rule of men, prevails.
From Outlaw to Patriot
Being an Iranian "outlaw" did not mean that I was inherently lawless. It meant that I was living under a regime that denied the very essence of what it means to be human: to think freely, to speak openly, and to choose one's path without fear of persecution. I was forced to live outside the bounds of lawful society because that society itself was corrupt and unjust.
Now, as an American citizen, I am committed to the rule of law. I stand firm in my belief that America's greatness lies not in its military power or its economic wealth, but in its commitment to the principles of freedom and justice for all its citizens. I fight for the preservation of the Constitution and for the ideals that have allowed me to flourish in a land of freedom—values that I did not know in Iran.
The path from being an Iranian "outlaw" to a law-abiding American citizen was neither simple nor easy. It required me to shed the ideologies and systems that sought to enslave my mind and spirit, and to embrace a worldview that values freedom, individual rights, and the sanctity of human dignity. Today, I proudly stand as an American, grateful for the freedom that this nation offers, and committed to protecting it for future generations.
Conclusion
As an Iranian-American Christian conservative, my journey has been long and transformative. From the oppressive streets of Tehran to the free lands of America, I have learned that true freedom lies in the respect for the law—laws that protect the individual, uphold justice, and guarantee liberty. It is because of this respect for the rule of law that I am proud to be an American citizen, even as I carry the scars of my past as an "outlaw."
Citations:
- The U.S. Constitution - The Constitution of the United States.
- "Islamism: A Threat to American Values" by Robert Spencer, FrontPage Magazine (2009).
- "The New Totalitarians" by Roger Scruton, The New Criterion (2017).
- "The Abandonment of the Iranian Revolution" by Abbas Milani, Hoover Institution (2009).
- The Book of Mormon, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
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