Why would you think that all ideas have the same weight as a scientific theory? Until ID goes through the same selection process as the many fields of science it is simply not up to snuff.
If we were to equally consider all ideas then we would have to give equal weight to Astrology, Homeopathy, Crystal power, Pyramid power, and every kook who thinks he has developed free energy from Rice Crispies. There is an idea 'filter' which eliminates junk from science to keep bad ideas from taking up valuable time and effort. ID may become, sometime in the future, a science on par with chemistry (or others) but it hasn't made it there yet.
I agree w/ that fully. However, can you honestly say that someone who approaches ID w/ an open mind would be accepted at most universities in this country.
Or rather would they be mocked and ridiculed?