More Republican members of the U.S. Congress are disavowing scientific proofs of Earth’s origin and age and the origin and evolution of mankind.

Most recently, Republican Rep. Paul Broun, of Georgia, is quoted as saying the Earth is about 9,000 years old. He also is an advocate of creationism despite solid scientific evidence to the contrary.

The Texas Legislature has gone so far as to alter text books, and require that both evolution and creationism be taught in Texas schools.

Church pastors and ministers now thumb their noses at U.S. tax law that prohibits political involvement if they are to keep their tax exemptions.

Thomas Jefferson influenced the idea of the separation of church and state with his 1802 statement that there should be a “wall of separation” between the two.

Diane Winston teaches media and religion at the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School and has written, “So when polls and pundits pronounce that religion is not a factor in the 2012 election, do not believe it.”

Today’s Republican Party has been increasingly infiltrated by the likes of such members as Broun, which can and does affect our constitutional rights.

Jim Chiddix

Waterville