I do not bother with a religions since BNW unless I just feel like playing with the religion mechanic. Letting a neighbor give you their religion improves relations with them nicely, and spares you resources constructing faith buildings. You can even intentionally trade with somebody who has a religion you like just to get that religion and then go back to trading with people normally (which spreads your chosen religion).
Venice is very cool when you do that with someone else's religion.
Venice is very cool when you do that with someone else's religion.