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Religious Tolerance is a social policy in Civilization V. It was added in Gods & Kings and it replaced Free Religion. It is part of the Piety tree and requires Reformation and Mandate of Heaven. In Brave New World it requires Organized Religion.
In a well-developed religious society people become more tolerant and open-minded. While the fanatics in normal societies insist that only one way is possible, the pious see that God is One and its ways are Many. Thus, they may tolerate some other Beliefs than their main Faith. Sometimes.
Game Info[]
- Reduces the
Culture cost of future policies by 10% ( only). - Cities with a majority religion also get the Pantheon belief bonus of the second most popular religion ( only).
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Strategy[]
This level 2 Policy is very useful once other religions start getting spread to your cities. Note that for the bonus to work you only need one 
Citizen converted to a religion other than the main one. Then, for all practical purposes, you gain a second Pantheon Belief bonus!
The practical use is, of course, dependent on another religion being actually present, and is also very chancy (because the Pantheon Belief you benefit from may be useless in some cities, if based on terrain or resources lacking nearby). The effect may be different for each separate city, because each of them may have a different religion as a second influence - it is really difficult to try and influence this. Generally, the benefit of Religious Tolerance manifests itself a bit later, so don't expect immediate results.
And of course, this level 2 Policy is the requirement for the all-powerful Reformation Policy.
Civilopedia entry[]
Free religion is the policy of a state which does not mandate which religions its members must adhere to. All religions are welcome, and let the spiritual marketplace decide among them. Though perhaps implemented for more noble reasons, free religion often has the effect of limiting the power of any individual religion. In states with one religion, the people in charge of that religion may wield a great deal of power (witness modern Iran). States with free religion generally attempt to treat them all equally, ensuring that none can become ultimately dominant.