No religion for me

[CaelumLee]

Hey there everyone! I just want to tell you something and ask for your opinion regarding on my situation.

I had this game as Ottoman in King difficulty, 10 player continent map and I have jungle start with lapiz lazuli as my future monopoly resource. Because of the jungle start, I tried to be greedy and for ToA, got the GoR pantheon, and followed by caravans to fully utilize my UA. I settled 3 more cities around 60ish turn and made sure to build shrine asap. Sorry that I wasn't able to screenshot my game, but the moment that I can get my pantheon, I saw that there were about 6 civs who already found a pantheon. I knew that it's going to be hard to find a religion but I still go for it.

10 turns left for me to get my GP, then Poland was the least civ to found a religion. Am I at a disadvantage if I wasn't able to find a religion of my own? How do you continue your game from that on?

 

[Moi Magnus]

First, there is a whole strategy subforum (https://forums.civfanatics.com/forums/strategy-section.537/) you can look at.
Second, the immadiate question is "Can you capture an holy city?". Capturing an holy city allow you to "steal" the religion.
Lastly, no religion isn't a dead game. Having a religion is a great plus, but you can win without. The only thing you don't want is having a mix of multiple religions in you kingdom, becaus it causes religious division.

Note: Capturing an holy city also make you lose all your faith in current version. Changing this rule is currently discussed.

 

[DonStill]

Like Moi said, capture a holy city, preferably one that's either Enhanced/Reformed that actually as beliefs you want, or an unenhanced one you can actually work with that isn't completely unoptimized.

 

[CaelumLee]

Thank you for your response! Will try to capture one of neighbour's holy city!