I need incorporate bacteria ONLY if I believe in evolution, which I do not. This is the standard textbook version of life, which I adhere to. Viruses are non-living because they are unable to metabolise on their own. They need a host. So basically, an organism that is able to metabolise on their own.
You lost me in there somewhere.
Can bacteria "metabolize on their own?"
Synechococcus, for example?