RELIGION STUDIES PAPER 2
GRADE 12
NOVEMBER 2020
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
QUESTION 1
1.1 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
SUICIDE IN SOUTH AFRICA
One suicide is reported every hour in South Africa, and although it is a very serious problem, there are no comprehensive national suicide prevention strategies in place. Statistics from the World Health Organisation (WHO) show that 800 000 people die by suicide each year, and that it is the second leading cause of death in the world's population aged between 15–29 years old.
1.1.1 Give FIVE possible reasons why suicide is more common in the 15- to 29-year age group. (10)
1.1.2 With reference to the relevant teachings of any ONE religion you have studied, write down the advice you would give to prevent a person from committing suicide. (12)
1.2 Answer the following questions with reference to any ONE religion you have studied.
1.2.1 Explain the nature of divinity. (10)
1.2.2 Discuss how one's belief about the hereafter influences one's life on earth. (12)
1.3 Briefly explain the following hermeneutical principles:
1.3.1 Grammar and historical context (2)
1.3.2 Plan, purpose and context (2)
1.3.3 Meaning of words (2)
[50]
QUESTION 2
Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
Christianity is a monotheistic tradition, which means that there is a shared belief in a single creator God. However, Christianity is made up of many different beliefs and can be divided into three main branches.
2.1 Choose any TWO branches of any ONE religion and discuss their internal differences under the following headings:
2.1.1 Practices (14)
2.1.2 Teachings (10)
2.2 Give TWO reasons why the Bahá'i Faith does not have major subdivisions. (4)
2.3 Choose any ONE religion and discuss the origin and the development of its sacred text. (14)
2.4 Do you think sacred books are more important than oral tradition? Give reasons for your answer. (8)
[50]
QUESTION 3
Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
Conflict is a reality of life. Religion has sometimes been part of a problem, but a true intention of religion has always been to prevent conflict if it has not arisen, and to solve it if it has.
3.1 Name ONE possible armed religious conflict anywhere in the world, and explain its historical development. (18)
3.2 To what extent is/was religion part of the problem? (10)
3.3 What is the current situation in respect of the conflict you have identified? (12)
3.4 What role can religious organisations play in an attempt to resolve this conflict? (10)
[50]
QUESTION 4
4.1 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
Some people are simply not interested in religion, just as some people are not interested in sports or politics. When the time comes to fill in census forms, they simply write 'none' under the entry for religion. In their daily lives, they are prepared to ignore religion. We can call these people passively secular. They probably form the majority of non-religious people.
4.1.1 Discuss the factors that led to the development of Western secular thinking. (12)
4.1.2 How has the establishment of secular states led to the prevention of religious wars? (12)
4.1.3 Discuss the concept of Secularism as a world view. (10)
4.2 Write FOUR facts on any TWO of the secular world views listed below:
[50]
QUESTION 5
5.1 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
'Where does the human race come from?'
This is a question that has been asked by all civilisations, both ancient and modern.
5.1.1 Give the scientific answer to the question above. (16)
5.1.2 'Where does the human race come from?'
Answer this question with reference to the beliefs of any TWO of the following religions:
5.2 Briefly discuss the Big Bang theory. (10)
[50]
TOTAL: 150