religion question

[babacuda]

Must one select a religion, or can one go with a secular society throughout the game? Are you penalized if you remain secular? Thanks for any replies.

[clarkcd]

You don't have to select a religion and there is no penalty. Instead you just will miss out on the bonuses when having a state religion (minimum +1 happy in your cities that have the state religion).

[Hayden]

There is a thread in the Strat + Educ section about this. Basically the advantages of religion far outway the disadvantages (which are that other Civs may earn money from you through shrines)

[babacuda]

Thanks for the responses and for pointing out the other thread.

[Nacht]

You can have the shrines without converting