Question about religion conversion, and why should I do it?

[Legal_My_Deagle]

Now before you guys read my post, read it with the premise in mind that I have only played one game before of Civ4....so I am not crying "WAAAAAH IMBALANCE!" I am more asking "What am I missing?"

With that being said, it seems to me that at the start of the game, some of the first few techs you get give you religions....or even if you didnt get them first, somebody will spread one too you soon enough.

Also, you get a bonus from having a state religion.

So my question is, WHY would you eventually convert over to a religion farther down the tech tree for a state religion? I suppose it would be good none the less to have these religions if you plan on picking up Freedom of Religion at some point, but until then, why shoot yourself in the foot?

 

[Harry Haller]

You get a bonus for starting a religion. So by starting more than one, you prevent the CPs from gaining any bonuses. Also, suppose that you found Buddhism at the beginning and make it your state religion, then later on you found Christianity. It may turn out that Christianity becomes more widespread than Buddhism, so you would gain more benefit from switching your state religion to the more common religion (that you founded) so you get more benefit.

I'm still a little hazy on the details... but I think it's something along these lines.

 

[KrikkitTwo]

Well the benefits of one 'state' religion over another

Your state religion spreads more, so if another civ has the Holy City for Buddhism, and you are Buddhist, then more of your cities will become Buddhist, giving him more money+other bonuses. On the other hand, if you found Christianity, then making Christianity your state religion will make it spread more helping the Holy City You have as opposed to the one you have. (In general you would prefer your state religion to be one you control the Holy City of to one that you Don't control the Holy City of).

The other reason would be Diplomacy, You have better relations with civs that have the same Religion, so you might switch to Christianity from Buddhism because you want to become a good ally with the new Christian civ.

 

[lordomni]

Can you convert holy cities of another religion? Such as having the Jewish temple in a christian empire, can I convert that city to christianity?

 

[KrikkitTwo]

I think so, (It will still be Jewish though (just Jewish AND Christian)