hmm, you are right dte, I also did not feel the new things was an improvement. But the basic concepts are still the same, like moving around armies and settlers, managing cities, and watching for good spots to build them, researching the technology and begin at beginning of civization etc.
Religion has been in since the first CIV, but it was different here, I kind of like that the special people could be born in your city, and you could move them around and get bonuses. But on the other hand I also agree that it was annoying at times.
I guess they added that to make some changes at least, otherwise they could just say look it is the same game but with updated graphics.