How many homeschooled students are religious extremists?

Question

By a general number please

By that I don't mean violent, I chose poor verbage, sorry

Answer 1

At what point is a person a "religious extremist"? If he prays to thank God at meals? How about the football star who kneels in prayer before a game? Is it when you attend church every week instead of just Christmas and Easter? Or is just belief in a deity enough? What is extreme when it comes to religion? Where is the line drawn? Who is the authority that defines a "religious extremist"?

Could it be that people who do things that are acting on their beliefs are just being compared to those who claim no belief, or claim a belief but do nothing and so prove they really have no belief at all?

One day, when I was in high school in the 70s, a girl was reading her Bible in study hall. She wasn't bothering anyone; just quietly reading her Bible. The instructor had left the room. Several students began harrassing her because of the Bible. I found myself defending her right to read her sacred book in peace, because this is America after all! In that situation.... who was really the "extremist"???? The person quietly practicing her faith, or the people who thought they had a right to abuse her because they had none?

Sue

Answer 2

By about the same ratio that they would be represented in the general population. It would be false to assume that a large portion of homeschoolers are extremists. Some may be religious. However, most choose homeschooling for other valid reasons which have nothing to do with "religion".
Cultural: to pass on heritage, languages (other than English) and traditions.
Academic: to accelerate a gifted child or to individualize studies for a learning deficient child.
Societal: to avoid the public school, the institutional attitude, the bullies, the problems, the behaviors, and such.
Health: Some have serious health concerns, which prevent "normal" school attendance, be it mental or physical.
Financial: they can't afford to pay for a parochial education or private school, thus homeschool becomes an option.
Familial: The family may be in Asia, or in South Africa, where there are no "American" schools, thus they homeschool rather than go to foreign schools..
There are more reasons....but I will leave it at this list...the answer is that the percentage is safely around the national average of what would be considered "religious extremist".

Answer 3

I understand your question although it could have been phrased differently. I do not homeschool for religious reasons. I homeschool because I think its better for my children. I went to public schools until the 9th grade I was then homeschooled by my mother. I loved being homeschooled. No more fights about homework or being late for the bus. I found out my mom was this really intelligent and just all around great woman. We became very close. I want my kids to have the same opportunity that I had. To know what it is to be a family.

I teach my children different religions. We are Christian and my children say their prayers but, they have also studied Buddhism, Muslim, Wicca, and several other religions to learn tolerance and understanding. Its all about learning and expanding your horizons. And learning to love to learn.

Answer 4

We homeschoool, but are not religious. In our homeschool group with over 100 kids, the vast majority do not homeschool for religious reasons. Although some of the families are religious, I don't think any of them are extremists. We have many varieties of chritian families, pagan, agnostic, and jewish.

We are in the bible belt, so there are many religious homeschoolers in our area. However, I would say that the numbers are rapidly changing. In the past it may have been 80% or more than homeschooled for religious reasons, and now I think more than 50% homeschool for different reasons.

Answer 5

Students are often still children. It is very rare for a child to be extreme in things pertaining to religion or faith. It seems to be around the age of 18 through 21 or so that people become very extreme in their pursuits -- isn't that the age where we all "know everything there is to know" and after a few years --- say, around age 35 to 40 we realize that what we thought we knew we didn't know after all ---------??????

My children tend to be extreme in matters that have nothing to do with religious stuff. Unless you take the word 'religion' in a simple form: They can be religious about brushing their teeth -- but usually are more prone to religiously forget to do so.

Most home schooled students that I know are very moderate as far as religious things are concerned. They tend to be reserved and pleasant toward people from all walks of life. They are prone to be accepting of others that are young or old, happy or sad, small or large, from different countries, etc. etc. etc. They don't segregate themselves away from others in a group situation -- they tend to enjoy everybody's company. They don't make fun of other people or start fights. They get along well.

So, I guess I can't say how many might be religious extremists because I don't know any.

Answer 6

I like and agree with Quality Education's response
"Most home schooled students that I know are very moderate as far as religious things are concerned. They tend to be reserved and pleasant toward people from all walks of life. They are prone to be accepting of others that are young or old, happy or sad, small or large, from different countries, etc. etc. etc. They don't segregate themselves away from others in a group situation -- they tend to enjoy everybody's company. They don't make fun of other people or start fights. They get along well."

I did not start homeschooling for "religious reasons" but continue to because that is what God requires of me. As for the word extremist-ugh! How about radical? I like to hope that I am radical... Jesus was and my goal is to be more like Him! P~

Answer 7

Since they are home-schooled, there can not be a general statistic, so your question is moot. But shifting from only religions to all categories of extremists, there are more within the school systems where ideas are bred by the disgruntled. Even the number of home-schooled students is unclear as there is no means of tracking them.

Answer 8

I'm not sure why a friend of mine homeschools her kids. I haven't seen any signs that she's an extremist.

But as a Jew, I do see examples of religious extremism. I don't think many people realize this. It can be a statement that someone says that they believe is innocent, and if it's pointed out that it's insensitive, they may respond in a "who, me?" manner.

It definitely is when someone comes up to me on the street and starts talking about Christ. That has happened quite a bit in the last few years since this one church was built. To me, it isn't respectful of one's spiritual beliefs.

It definitely is when people complain about using the term "holiday" instead of Christmas. I had to hold my tongue when a group of people were suggesting everyone should boycott a major chain store because they tried to be politically correct. As if Hanukkah hadn't been ignored in these ads for years.

As for prayer in school, there isn't a way in public schools to make it comfortable for everyone. If a little child is being raised a Buddhist, why should they be standing while everyone else is bowing their head?

Answer 9

I don't know numbers, but I think the number is much lower than it used to be. Because of poor education today, many people choose to home educate their own children, and the decision has little to nothing to do with religion.

Answer 10

Extremist? I don't really understand this. God is the one who has created me and I feel the need to surround my life around him. Does that make me exteme? And BTW I am a homeschooler.