“Belief in and reverence for a supernatural power or powers regarded as creator and governor of the universe.“
Evolution is not considered to be supernatural. It is a natural process that conforms to the laws of nature and can be studied using the scientific method. While many supporters of evolution believe in a higher power, it is not necessary for evolution to have such a power involved. Evolution is also not considered to govern the universe.
“A personal or institutionalized system grounded in such belief and worship.”
Since evolution supporters no more worship evolution than gravity supporters worship gravity, it fails this criterion of religion. There is no church of evolution where one can go and worship it. Evolution also has no priests or adherents.
“The life or condition of a person in a religious order.”
This is very similar to the above explanation. There are no monasteries to evolution.
“A set of beliefs, values, and practices based on the teachings of a spiritual leader.”
There are no spiritual leaders of evolution. There are scientists who are highly respected, but one doesn’t have to like or listen to these people. There are no set values or practices that an evolution supporter must adhere to.
“A cause, principle, or activity pursued with zeal or conscientious devotion.”
This could apply to almost anything. If this makes something a religion, then stamp collecting, fly fishing, and playing sports could be considered a religion. This would make the meaning of religion useless.
Even the courts have ruled that evolution is not a religion:
“Assuming for the purposes of argument, however, that evolution is a religion or religious tenet, the remedy is to stop the teaching of evolution, not establish another religion in opposition to it. Yet it is clearly established in the case law, and perhaps also in common sense, that evolution is not a religion and that teaching evolution does not violate the Establishment Clause.” {The court cases Epperson v. Arkansas, Willoughby v. Stever, and Wright v. Houston Indep. School Dist. are cited as precedent (McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education 1982).
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