Re-working Religion in the Tech tree!!

[Aussie_Lurker]

OK, I'm not sure if this really belongs here but, I GUESS I'd like to see these changes made as an official part of C3:C ! If it isn't, though, I guess it could be done by some enterprising modder with a little 'time' on their hands !!
Anyway, I have TWO major problems with religion, as it stands in the current game!

First, Religion is not as big a part of the game as it should be, given its actual, pivotal role in REAL history!

Secondly, the whole religious side of the game is Grossly Eurocentric, with it's emphasis on both Monotheism and Theology! Many modern society's don't subscribe to monotheism and, of the others, many were FORCED to adopt to monotheism!
So, how can we, at the very least, alter the religious techs, to reflect the greater religious diversity that both exited and currently exists? I'm open to any suggestions! Some thoughts I have are:
1) Making some religious techs 'non-compulsory' for advancing to a new age! For instance, Monotheism and Polytheism should NOT be compulsory, but Mysticism and Ceremonial Burial should be!

2) Making 'Early Monotheism' an Ancient tech, with Code of Laws and 'Polytheism'? as prereq? Also having two schools of 'Eastern Religion', based on Philosophy and Polytheism and/or Literature?
What do people think?

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

 

[Aussie_Lurker]

OK, here are a few ideas which I have had for religious 'techs'!

1) Philo+Mysticism--->Eastern Religion I (as represented by Buddhism and Taoism)

2) Philo+Polytheism--->Eastern Religion II (as represented by Hinduism and Shinto)

3) Code of Laws+Philosophy---> 'Early' Monotheism (as represented by Judaism and Christianity)

4) Code of Laws+Polytheism--->'Late' Monotheism (as represented by Islam and possibly also the JW's and Mormons!)

In the Middle Ages, Theology might have to be a tech ONLY available to one of these 4 types of older religions (probably Early Monotheism), and would reflect the 'formalisation' of the religious beliefs set down in ancient times. Branching off from this tech would be both 'Orthodoxy' and 'Protestantism'??

Obviously, all of these 'techs' would have their own set of improvements, Small and great Wonders, and possibly even units!!! The other matter is, should the discovery of one of these tech types in any way cancel the effects of wonders/units of OTHER religious techs? If so, HOW?!
On a final note, I think the discovery of 'Mysticism' should give you the 'resource' of 'Gnosticism'. This resource would be essential in building ALL of the religious buildings and units-as it represents religious beliefs!!
As before, if anyone else wants to give any suggestions, or criticisms, I would be MORE than happy to hear what you have to say !!!

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

 

[Aussie_Lurker]

Bump !!

 

[Pirate]

I agree that religion is underplayed in the game, and I agree that the middle-age tech tree is Eurocentric for one reason - monotheism and theology as a pre-requisite to the printing press is because of the significance of the Gutenberg Bible, a western phenomenon to be sure. However, I don't believe that the way to handle it is to branch off into the varied philosophical techs. If religious techs are not prerequisites to other techs, then you are creating a lot of dead end and optional techs, which will disrupt the streamlined, logical progression the creators were going for.

The tree for religious techs should reflect the MAJOR shifts in the underlying philosophy of ALL religions - namely the developments of the concept of a spirit, the formation of a concept God or gods, and the formalization of the theory of God as an intellectual and social phenomenon. Right now, the techs seem to cover those ideas and the placement of the middle age religious techs are my only grievance.

Also, how would a psychological resource "Gnosticism" work? It doesn't come from the land, nor can it be stored or traded. I'm afraid you've lost me on that idea.

 

[Krayzeenbk]

It may be a good idea, but I don't see how the political corectness side of this will fit into the game

 

[Aussie_Lurker]

What I mean, by gnosticism, in this context, is the 'Spiritual Enlightenment' that certain religious founders have recieved over the centuries ! It would occur in deserts, jungles and mountains (and possibly forests, too!) It's a bit of a fudge, I admit, but it would make religion a much more interesting concept, in my opinion !

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

 

[Xen]

for all further ideas on this, i would like to make it known, that the polytheistic religions of the ancient west, such as that of Rome, are still in continued practice- i would know, as I am a roma n polytheist

I do like the idea of making religious tech non-compulsory...

 

[Metacomet]

I like the option to try different religions with different tecnologies, then you can personalize more your civilization

 

[Metacomet]

And you can be more simpatetic with other civilizations with your religion, and be easier be in war with civilizations with different religions. That's history!!!!!

And if you don't want we don't need to use real names for the religions, to be political correct in the game.

I will love religion wars.

 

[Aussie_Lurker]

I actually feel that only mysticism and ceremonial burial should be prerequisite 'religious' techs for the Ancient age (or ANY age for that matter)! All others should be optional! The way to ensure that each civ adopts different, optional religious techs might be to give each tech a series of benefits and disadvantages, and by adjusting the traits of their various buildings (i.e. not just religious, but perhaps commercial or agricultural?!) Anyway, just a thought!

Yours,
Aussie_Lurker.

 

[Commander Bello]

Originally posted by Metacomet
And you can be more simpatetic with other civilizations with your religion, and be easier be in war with civilizations with different religions. That's history!!!!!

And if you don't want we don't need to use real names for the religions, to be political correct in the game.

I will love religion wars.

I already mentioned that somewhere else:
Civs with religious trait could be assorted to a 'green', 'blue' or 'red' religion. By that, two civs with different religious orientation would be very hostile to each other, while being assorted to the same (let's say, the 'magenta') religion would make same friendly to each other.
Religion wars then could have some extra effects as a 'small' golden age, when you conquer a religious wonder of a differently oriented nation....
The effects of this orientation could be altered when conceptions as personal freedom, democracy and whatever are discovered.