07382. RELIGION AND CIVILIZATION: AN ESSAY. Civilization may be defined as a distinctive human culture existing in a recognized territory over a number of generations with urban centers and institutionalized political authority and a distinctive culture of specialized arts and sciences. The distinguishing features of a civilization as opposed to a society are then considered in material terms: economic system, tools, and styles of art. This essay, however, will argue that a recognized institutionalized religion is also one of the distinguishing characteristics of a human civilization and one that has had a very important effect on the development and maintenance of civilization throughout history. 5 pages, 2 footnotes, 1 bibliographic source.