Why is it so important that you found a religion?

[homegrown]

There is even a benefit to founding a religion(s) and *not* converting to a state religion. While there is no state religion, all holy cities get 5 cpt. Once your people convert, only the holy city of the state religion gets 5cpt, all your other holy cities will only gain 1cpt.

I use this a LOT when I'm playing the early Hinbudjudism trifecta. Not converting to Hinduism and Buddhism when you found them increase the amount of early culture in your capital, and saves you two turns of anarchy. Also, there is *no* reason to switch to a state religion before you have Judaism as that's the tech that allows Organized.

Also, Hinbudjudism, aren't the only "early" religions. A civ that doesn't start with Meditation can beeline instead for Code of Laws.

Finally, a beeline to Monarchy and a switch to Hereditary Rule can overcome any happiness deficits you may experience by a total lack of religion.

 

[CitizenCain]

I use this a LOT when I'm playing the early Hinbudjudism trifecta. Not converting to Hinduism and Buddhism when you found them increase the amount of early culture in your capital, and saves you two turns of anarchy. Also, there is *no* reason to switch to a state religion before you have Judaism as that's the tech that allows Organized.

Unless you need the +1 in cities with state religion. And yes, I've done it such that I've needed that +1 to grow my capital another level before founding Hinduism. But you're generally right - it's best to group civics/religious changes together to reduce the amount of anarchy you go through (if you're non spiritual).

 

[MosquitoE]

It is important to remember that researching religion and building shrines/missionaries has certain opportunity costs just like any other path. In any given game you can analyze the benefits and disadvantages of taking a particular path. For example on a small archipelago map you wont have as many cities to spread a religion too and gain gold from. So maybe it is better to put time and resources towards other victory paths.
The ability to analyze the individual situation and act accordingly is the main advantage the human player has. If you always play the same "If I dont found religion I will quit" you are no better than an AI.
Also, one of the most fun aspects of Civ is that each game can be different. If you always play the same you miss out on this amazing diversity.

 

[Liquidated]

one other thing I didn't see hammered in other than the culture/gold route... keeping your immediate neighbors off you!


if you found one of the early religions and are agressive sending out a few misionaries, you can get the jump on which state religions your neighbors use.

By this I mean if you start as one of the spiritual leaders and have a jump on hindu, budd, or juda, if your immidate neighbors aren't trying to do the same thing you can make nice nice easily.

found say hindu, set up making missionaries asap and send 1-4 to your immediate neighbors you have no intention of attacking. The success rate for converting a city with no base religion is very high.

The diplomatic mods you get early, for not only having the same religion but also the negitive effects from differing creeds, is enough to turn the tide at lower difficulty.

That early +3 diplo bonus is huge in that you can use that to leverage more positive relations with trades, lasting peace and easy open borders.

Keep in mind this dovetails nicely with the infrastucture based traits as it gives your neighbors less reason to drag you into an early war that slows growth.

If you are aiming for a conquest, you may want leave your first targets as heathens. I'm not of the conquest mindset so not sure there.

Being able to convert your immediate neighbors as same religion early in game really paves the way for lasting relations that can stand though to the end.

Cheers!
-Liq