Defending Difference
International studies student takes on the issue of apostasy
For some, the idea of being persecuted over religious beliefs may be unthinkable. For others, it’s a harsh reality — and sometimes a death sentence.
This persecution is exactly the type that 20-year-old Zachary Lien of Boise is trying to eradicate. As a student in the University of Idaho’s College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences double majoring in international studies and political science, Lien spends his time studying the human rights violations faced by apostates, or people who renounce their religion, in Islamic countries. Apostasy is treated as a serious crime with incredibly severe punishments.
“Apostates are possibly the most hated group in possibly the most volatile region of the world,” Lien says. “When you charge someone for being an apostate, you are effectively charging them for choosing something different. And there’s a deep-rooted sentiment of hating difference.”
Lien’s project focuses not only on the number of people convicted of apostasy or murdered by neighbors and family members in extrajudicial, or unauthorized, killings, but also on the governmental and societal repercussions of apostasy. Most importantly, however, Lien is dedicated to proposing policy solutions to the problems of violence, imprisonment and death that many apostates face.
“I want the average person to understand what apostasy is,” Lien says. “And the idealist in me thinks that solving the issue of apostasy would actually have the largest ripple effect when it comes to solving other human rights issues. What we could see is a shift in perspective, not only in allowing difference to exist but also in allowing difference to speak.”
Some of Lien’s proposed solutions include having Western countries deny foreign aid to certain problematic countries in order to instigate change, or even creating a protective coalition between secular organizations. Lien does most of his research through UI’s Martin Institute, a program which allows selected students to conduct directed undergraduate research on a personal topic. Additionally, Lien spent six weeks at the Library of Congress working with a mentor in the Mount Vernon Leadership Fellows program, and he even presented a speech, “Religion and Curiosity,” at TEDxUIdaho 2016. In February that same year, he represented UI at the Wheatley International Affairs Conference discussing religion and international affairs.
Lien received an OUR Undergraduate Research Grant. Learn more.
Though Lien’s research spans the globe, his inspiration to study apostasy grew out of personal experience.
“I’m actually an apostate myself,” says Lien. “I used to be a member of the Mormon Church but left. I began connecting with apostates all over the world, and my experience led me to research how other people are suffering.”
Lien intends to become a professor to teach how international studies and religion intersect, and he’s immensely grateful for the support he’s received at UI.
“The international studies professors at the Martin Institute are insanely passionate and really care about their studies,” Lien says. “Overall, what international studies has taught me is that making a difference is completely possible.”
WRITER: Justin McCabe, a senior from Post Falls, Idaho, is majoring in English literature and minoring in history.
PHOTOGRAPHER: Carly Scott, a sophomore from Buhl, Idaho, is majoring in mathematics and biology.