Perl probably looks like machine language to the uninitiated, especially those used to using a cute-and-fuzzy, HTML-like, drool-proof, impact-resistant language such as Cold Fusion. It is truly surprising what some intrepid people have done with that product, considering it is the computer language equivalent of Tinker Toys. But then again, Danny Hillis built a tic-tac-toe "computer" using only Tinker Toys.

I've taught people to use Perl before, and it isn't all that difficult. Why sell yourself short and learn something like CFML or PHP? Perhaps they are just misguided, because the same effort applied to learning Perl (or Java) would be a lot more productive.