Can't say it any better than this:

Launched by Phillip E. Johnson’s book Darwin on Trial (1991), the intelligent-design movement crystallized in 1996 as the Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture (CRSC), sponsored by the Discovery Institute, a conservative Seattle think tank.

Johnson, a law professor whose religious conversion catalyzed his antievolution efforts, assembled a group of supporters who promote design theory through their writings, financed by CRSC fellowships. According to an early mission statement, the CRSC seeks “nothing less than the overthrow of materialism and its damning cultural legacies.”

Johnson refers to the CRSC members and their strategy as the Wedge, analogous to a wedge that splits a log — meaning that intelligent design will liberate science from the grip of “atheistic naturalism.”

Ten years of Wedge history reveal its most salient features: Wedge scientists have no empirical research program and, consequently, have published no data in peer-reviewed journals (or elsewhere) to support their intelligent-design claims. But they do have an aggressive public relations program, which includes conferences that they or their supporters organize, popular books and articles, recruitment of students through university lectures sponsored by campus ministries, and cultivation of alliances with conservative Christians and influential political figures.

The Wedge aims to “renew” American culture by grounding society’s major institutions, especially education, in evangelical religion. In 1996, Johnson declared: “This isn’t really, and never has been, a debate about science. It’s about religion and philosophy.”

^ Certainly was not Einstein's focus or goal.

Did I stutter?

He wasn't an advocate of what is now called "intelligent design," either. He was an advocate of science.

Be more specific as to who the who are.

That's like saying there are those who deny science and yet believe Muhammad flew to Jerusalem and then up to seven? heavens on a pegasus type animal.

Maybe "they" do deny science...maybe "they" don't.

I know no one who believes in the Virgin Birth and "denies science", so its difficult to comment.

Or that there was a virgin birth, or that the universe was created in six days, or that Moses parted the Red Sea, or any other religious belief.

Again, I do not denigrate your religious beliefs. I salute you if they help you through the day.

I believe that all religious beliefs are equally invalid.

But because you believe in a particular set of tenets does not invalidate any other set of tenets, no matter how ridiculous they might seem. Even "Muhammad [flying] to Jerusalem and then up to seven? heavens on a pegasus type animal."

Many self-identified Christians in the USA complain about their persecution by society at large, but who have no problem denigrating the beliefs of others. Like fundamentalist Christians denigrating Mormons or Muslims for their beliefs.

Well, why not start with the New Earthers? 6,000 to 10,000 years old? Really?

Did God really stop the sun when Joshua marched around and blew his horn? Did he really "stop the sun"?

pssst: we can really have this conversation if you want, but it's kind of a waste of both our times... don't you think?

Somewhere I read that our personal freedom comes from our acceptance of others. Or, put another way, our personal freedom comes from letting go of our desire to control others.

I know this applies somehow. But, forgive me if I don't have a clue as to how. If you're so inclined, I'd appreciate being put on a subject.

Basically I was agreeing with you that pursuing the conversation further is a waste of time. I could just as well have said "to each his own." This ground has been covered over and over, again and again. To do so again is a waste of time as neither will likely change. Thus, my comment that the freedom each of us has truly comes from our giving up the feeling we have to control others rather than accept them as they are. That doesn't mean we have to agree with them, but to attempt to change them is fruitless and unnecessary, for they are who they are because they have chosen to be the way they are.