"they have proponents at the highest level of science" Really? Care to actually name one such scientist, along with specialty? 

"mocked to their faces by friends and strangers for nothing more than First Amendment-protected beliefs." Why must we keep having to explain to people the First Amendments means you won't get arrested by the government for things you say, and you haven't been arrested, have you? The First Amendment does not mean you won't be made fun of for saying stupid things. After all, everyone who points out your stupidity has has a First Amendment right to do so. 

"“We get accused of being idiots,"  Eye roll, face palm.

“The flat earth says you are special, we are special, there is a creator, this isn’t some accident.”  Yes dear, you are very special.