…to shoot itself in the foot.

In 2007, House Bill 1287 passed which required public schools in Texas to provide an optional elective course on the Bible to high school students:

A school district shall offer to students in grades nine or above an elective course in the history and literature of the Old Testament era and an elective course in the history and literature of the New Testament era. [Such a course] must be taught in an objective and nondevotional manner that does not attempt to indoctrinate students as to either the truth or falsity of the Judeo-Christian biblical materials or of texts from other religious or cultural traditions other than the Judeo-Christian tradition; may not include teaching of a religious doctrine or a sectarian interpretation of the Old or New Testament or of texts from other religious or cultural traditions other than the Judeo-Christian tradition; and may not disparage or encourage a commitment to a set of religious beliefs.

Although passed in 2007 the bill goes into effect this upcoming academic year.

I say teach Texas children real scholarship of the Bible. Let them know what scholars really think of their Holy Book and I guarantee you that the people behind this bill will be smacking themselves in the head faster than you can say “documentary hypothesis.”