Thousands signed a Faithful America petition urging Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and the Department of Education to stop using a civics course they say promotes “Christian nationalism.” Faithful America, a group opposing “Christian nationalism,” claims Florida is “bribing public school teachers to indoctrinate students” by asserting the Ten Commandments are the basis for U.S. law.
Addressed to DeSantis and Education Commissioner Manny Díaz Jr., the petition argues the civics program falsely claims the U.S. was founded as a Christian nation, misrepresents the separation of church and state, and introduces the Bible into public classrooms. As of Sunday, it had nearly 13,500 signatures, aiming for 15,000.
DeSantis has emphasized civics in education reforms under his Civics Literacy Excellence Initiative. In July 2022, he stated the aim was to promote accurate civics and history free from ideological agendas. Teachers completing a 60-hour online course can earn a $3,000 bonus and a Civics Seal of Excellence. Last year, 20,000 teachers enrolled.
Faithful America contends the course includes false claims, such as “the separation of Church and State did not mean the separation of God and government.” They demand the course’s suspension and removal of Christian nationalism from education materials.
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