Coldfusion is not a Java equivalent, nor should it be. Coldfusion is a complementary technology. If Coldfusion is lacking, then you can extend it through the CFX library written in Java or C#.

The techniques to build a software application like Coldfusion are different than how you build a highly scalable web app in Coldfusion. Don’t confuse the two end products.

Coldfusion is great middle layer component/service provider and should be treated as such. Getting there with procedural code is ok. Facebook uses PHP in this way as well (remember the leaked code), but what do they know about scalable systems

The debate should be refocused back towards CF’s strength. Immediate productivity and supporting techniques.

(I may cross post part of this comment)