why not religionism ?

[WinterHold]

Racism is called "racism", but discrimination against a religion is called "xenophobia".
Why is it not called "religionism" ?

[no one]

Definition of xenophobia: 
fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

I think ‘religionism’ would be a perfectly acceptable term for the discrimination against religion, since virtually everyone practicing it is a ‘religionist’.

Boru

[awty]

Definition of xenophobia: 
fear and hatred of strangers or foreigners or of anything that is strange or foreign

In fairness - religions do tend to be a little strange.

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Seriously - who discriminates against religion more than religious people? Buddhists discriminate against Hindus, Catholics against Protestant, Protestants against Jews, Jews against Muslims, Muslims against anyone within reach. In fact, one of the defining characteristics of a religion seems to be a willingness - almost an eagerness - to make things difficult for people who believe in different fairy tales than you do. 

Boru

[The Grand Nudger]

Religionism: the strict practice of or devotion to religion
also, exaggerated religious zealotry

Religionist: a person adhering to a religion
especially, a religious zealot.

Both terms are already spoken for and explicitly refer to that. Chances are there's a term or phrase in english that already means whatever you think discriminating against a religion is or looks like Winter. I'm guessing it's something like making fun of your silly religion.

The word you're searching for, in that case, is "hilarious".

[BrianSoddingBoru4]

Religionism: the strict practice of or devotion to religion
also, exaggerated religious zealotry

Religionist: a person adhering to a religion
especially, a religious zealot.

Both terms are already spoken for and explicitly refer to that.  Chances are there's a term or phrase in english that already means whatever you think discriminating against a religion is or looks like Winter.  I'm guessing it's something like making fun of your silly religion.

The word you're searching for, in that case, is "hilarious".

Yeah, I still think ‘religionism’ fits. Who’s more discriminatory than religious zealots?

Boru

[Belacqua]

Racism is called "racism", but discrimination against a religion is called "xenophobia".
Why is it not called "religionism" ?

I think "xenophobia" can include things other than religion.

It could be against East Asian people, for example, regardless of religion.

But I agree that we should have a word for people who are prejudiced against religion. I sometimes call such people "anti-religion," but that can include people who have reasoned arguments against religion. 

We also need a word for the emotional, bigoted people whose hatred goes beyond reason. People who just get off on their hate. "anti-religious bigot" will do, I guess, but it isn't very catchy.

[Ferrocyanide]

Religionism: the strict practice of or devotion to religion
also, exaggerated religious zealotry

Religionist: a person adhering to a religion
especially, a religious zealot.

Both terms are already spoken for and explicitly refer to that.  Chances are there's a term or phrase in english that already means whatever you think discriminating against a religion is or looks like Winter.  I'm guessing it's something like making fun of your silly religion.

The word you're searching for, in that case, is "hilarious".

There is this
(Redirected from Religionism)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Religious_discrimination

so it looks like the word is available but I haven't seen it used in that sense.

[Paraselene]

I suppose for the same reason we have homophobia instead of homoism.

It's a semantic/linguist thing.