CTD wrote:

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When persons sharing a belief system involving blind faith actively seek to force it upon others; When they persecute persons who don't share the same beliefs, or who fail to subscribe to a critical tenet; what term do you suggest fits? Give me a more accurate term, and there's a chance I'll use it.

Thank you for answering my question. I'd say oppression sounds more suitable a definition to your explanation above (though I'm not sure how it parallels with evolution). Linguistically speaking most people will connote religion with things which include a priesthood and its ritual garb, ceremonies, sacrificial offerings such as the lighting of a candle, prayers, days of holy observance, etc. I am confident you see the clear difference between the latter and something which is merely "a forced belief system". Would you call a government which forces its people to become nationalists "religion", according to your own definition, CTD? It may be LIKE religion, as regards its fervor and steadfast belief, but it's not the same thing.

You might have a viable argument if you simply compared the way some among the scientific community observe evolution to religion itself. But to actually say it is a religion -- and mean it -- is obviously going to raise all sorts of inaccuracies in your definition. Again, I'd like to ask that you answer: if evolution is a religion, then is believing green tea tastes better with honey rather than sugar a religion? Is being a vegetarian and then trying to inveigle other people to your cause a religion? Or is it safer to accept that these examples (and all the other examples I've used, none of which you've seen fit to answer) merely, at times, share similarities with religion? A wardrobe is big, by definition. So is the planet Jupiter. But I wouldn't categorize them side by side.

CTD wrote:

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Get over it

There's nothing for me to get over, though thank you for expessing concern with my emotional well being. I'm simply engaging in a debate, as is the nature of this forum. You're welcome to either reply and engage as well, or not and leave it at that. Thank you for taking the time to respond.