RELIGION STUDIES PAPER 1
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
MEMORANDUM
SEPTEMBER 2018

SECTION A (COMPULSORY)
QUESTION 1
1.1
1.1.1 B (1)
1.1.2 A (1)
1.1.3 D (1)
1.1.4 D (1)
1.1.5 B (1)
1.1.6 A (1)
1.1.7 C (1)
1.1.8 B (1)
1.1.9 B (1)
1.1.10 A (1)
1.2
1.2.1 Monotheism (2)
1.2.2 Syncretism

• Syncretism refers to two different belief systems combined to form a new one.
• Example: African Initiated Churches, Sikhism. (2)

1.2.3 Karma

• It is a Hindu belief that every action has a consequence, which may show up only in a later reincarnation.
• It also implies the results of actions.
• It teaches that a person's actions in the past are responsible for his or her present state.

Nirvana

• This is a state of perfect happiness and peace in Buddhism.
• It is a state of realisation that there is no individual self or soul.

NOTE: Any TWO relevant responses from each term must be credited. (2)
1.2.4 Yin and Yang (2)
1.2.5 Rome (2)
1.3
1.3.1 False: Modimo, Nkulunkulu, Mvelingqangi, Qamata
Any relevant African name may be credited. (2)
1.3.2 False: African Traditional Religion (2)
1.3.3 False: The ideal in Theravada Buddhism is for the individual to live a life of meditation in order to become spiritually enlightened. (2)
1.3.4 True (2)
1.3.5 False: ‘Maternal’ means being related on the mother’s side of family/ ‘Paternal’ means being related on the father’s side. (2)
1.4
1.4.1 Similarity

• Being alike
• Having resemblances to a particular religion
• Being of the same kind, having the same nature, same shape (2)

1.4.2 Ecumenism

• Different religions are able to co-exist quite peacefully irrespective of their differences.
• Different religions actively cooperate to achieve certain particular aims in society.
• It is a Christian movement to grow unity among Christian denominations.
• The World Council of Churches is a direct result of the Ecumenical Movement. (2)

1.4.3 Unity

• Harmony between people and/or religions
• Peaceful co-existence of religions
• Acknowledgement of common grounds in different religions (2)

1.4.4 Comparability

• Looking for similarities and differences in religions
• Two or more religions can be compared
• It may be implicit or explicit (2)

1.4.5 Halaal

• It means a permissible act in Islam.
• It is often used to describe food that is permissible for Muslim consumption.

NOTE: Any TWO valid responses must be credited. (2)
1.5
1.5.1 Jesus (2)
1.5.2 Bahá’u’lláh (2)
1.5.3 Taoism (2)
1.5.4 Moses (2)
1.5.5 Induna (2)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50

SECTION B
QUESTION 2
2.1
2.1.1 Myth

• Often contains historical and metaphorical material.
• The word ‘myth’ comes from the word ‘mythos’ which means ‘word’ or ‘fable’.
• They reveal the deepest truths about creation, life and death. (4)

2.1.2 Beliefs

• This refers to what the adherents claim to be true.
• They are what form the foundations that bring people together for a common cause and help to create a shared identity.
• Beliefs mean a firm conviction e.g. according to the Jewish faith, there is only one God called Jehovah.
• This is also the acceptance of a thing, fact, statement or teaching. (4)

2.1.3 Dogma

• The concept 'dogma' refers to the beliefs that people are expected to accept without doubt.
• It means a principle, tenet or system of beliefs, particularly laid down by a collective religious authority.
• A dogma is presented by the collective religious authority, as founded in divine inspiration. (4)

2.1.4 Uniqueness

• It is those features that make the religion different from other religions.
• It is those features that make it identifiable as a different religion. (4)

2.1.5 Doctrine

• The term ‘doctrine’ is synonym for ‘teaching’.
• Mostly refers to the role of intellectuals in religious communities to discover religious convictions and organise them in cohesive philosophical patterns.
• A set of religious doctrines / principles or convictions.
• Doctrines are sometimes contentious.
• It does not have a negative connotation.

NOTE: Any other relevant responses must be credited. (4)
2.2
2.2.1 Nature of divinity in Christianity
It teaches that:

• God is the creator of the universe.
• God is omnipotent which means that He is powerful.
• God is omniscient which means that He sees all.
• God is spirit.
• God is caring and loving.
• God is understood as the Holy Trinity which refers to God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.
  Any relevant response must be credited. (10)

2.2.2 African Traditional Religion

• African philosophy is central in ATR and states thus ‘umntu ngumntu ngabantu’.
• It teaches that people are interdependent.
• It promotes sharing and caring for one another.
• It promotes the practice which is called ‘ilima’.
• It also encourages ‘inqoma’.
  Any relevant response must be credited. (10)

2.3 FIVE common beliefs of Abrahamic religions

• They all believe in one God.
• They all believe in life after death.
• They believe in the day of judgement.
• They believe in revealed scripture.
• They believe in the existence of prophets.
• They believe in the existence of angels.
  Any other unique characteristics of the Abrahamic religions must be accepted. (10)

[50]

QUESTION 3
3.1

• In 2012, a short movie called Innocence of Muslims was aired on YouTube.
• This was an attack on the character of the Prophet Muhammad.
• It resulted in violent protests in many Muslim countries.
• Initially it was reported that the movie was made and funded by Jews in the USA.
• It was later found that it was in fact made by a Coptic Christian, living in the USA.
• It was funded by a Christian company called ‘Media for Christ’.
• This act led to a heightening of tensions between Christians and Muslims.
• Media should remain sensitive, impartial and objective. (12)

3.2

• Social media companies should have a zero tolerance policy regarding religious insults.
• There should be severe sanctions against account holders who abuse the media (e.g. freezing the account, reporting to the authorities, etc.).
• Religious organisations should form partnerships with social media companies, and monitor posts that could be inflammatory.
• Anonymous posts which insult any religion should be barred.

NOTE: Any other valid strategies must be accepted. (8)
3.3

• Publishers/Editors exclusively determine which events are newsworthy.
• They should determine how important events are and how much prominence an event is given.
• The media has a tendency of not antagonising their sponsors/advertisers as it impacts negatively on their profits.
• The media uses sensationalism, as it drives sales.
• Large media companies own several media outlets. All these outlets will report the very same opinion.
• In the mind of an unwitting reader, it would seem that different editors all concur on an issue, but in fact it is the opinion of only one media house.

NOTE: Any other valid strategies must be accepted. (10)
3.4

• One example of this is the state-run SABC.
• The SABC radio and television programmes uphold the principle of religious tolerance, as enshrined in the South African Constitution.
• Examples of such programmes are ‘Issues of Faith’ and the daily morning prayers.
• Other media have differing mandates regarding different religions.
• E.g. The Hindu, which is a pro-Hindu newspaper, remained non-committal in the 'Prophet Muhammad cartoons' issue of 2006.
• However, it is vociferous in matters regarding Hindu values.
• A German newspaper, Die Welt, stated that Muslims should be accepting of such cartoons, as other religions are some of their founders.
• In the Sudan conflict, Western media explained the war as a conflict between the Muslim North and the Christian South.
• In fact, the war was not religious, but an economic war, with Muslims being on both sides.
• This is borne out by the fact that there is still armed conflict in South Sudan, even after independence from Sudan.
• In recent years, most media coverage of the Catholic Church is about child abuse by its clergy. The positive contributions of the church are down played.
• With regard to the Nazareth Baptist church (Shembe), local media such as Isolezwe and Ilanga take sides in covering the internal differences.
• Ukhozi, which has mostly urban listeners, often covers the new Christian faction. It gives little or no news coverage of the Ebuhleni faction.

NOTE: Any other relevant examples of media bias in religious matters must be credited.(20)
[50]

QUESTION 4
4.1

• During the apartheid era only Christianity was recognised as a state religion. / Christianity was the dominant religion.
• Christian National Education was the state’s education policy.
• State funds were used to pay salaries only of some Christian ministers.
• In a democratic South Africa all religions are given equal status.
• Religion Studies is a NSC subject that studies different religions.
• It replaced Biblical Studies and other subjects that focused only on one religion.
• Freedom of religions is enshrined in our constitution.
• In all state and official meetings, prayers are either universal in nature, or multi-faith.
• SA is a secular state.
• Religious tolerance is promoted.
• Religious pluralism is promoted.

NOTE: Any relevant responses must be credited. (18)

4.2 EXAMPLE 1: Judaism

• Happy are those who maintain justice and do righteousness at all times. (Tehillim/Psalm 106:3)
• When an alien lives with you in your land, do not ill-treat him. (Leviticus 19:33)
• Have we not all one Father? Did not one God create us?
  (Malachi 2:19)
• Judaism promotes mutual respect.
• It promotes the application of right to dignity to all.
• Fatherhood in Judaism embraces all nations of the world.

NOTE: Any relevant response must be credited.
EXAMPLE 2: African Traditional Religion

• African Traditional Religion believes in Ubuntu.
• It teaches that ‘umntu ngumntu ngabantu’.
• It promotes respect for all people.
• Everybody in African Traditional Religion is treated with dignity.
• It is a tribal based religion.
• It condemns any act of discrimination in the society.
• It condemns murder.

NOTE: Any relevant response must be credited.
Relevant doctrines of these and other religions must be accepted. (12)
4.3

• Religious freedom refers to the state whereby different religions are at liberty to practise their religions.
• Everyone has a right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief and opinion. However, the religious rights of others must be respected at all times.
• Religious observances may be conducted at any state institutions as long as it is on an equal basis.
• Attendance must be free and voluntary.
• Persons belonging to a religious community have the right to enjoy practising their religion and to maintain religious association with other organs of civil society.
  NOTE: Any relevant point must be credited. (10)

4.4 EXAMPLE 1: Hinduism

• The law of karma refers to the consequences of actions or deeds.
• It teaches that a person’s actions in the past are responsible for his or her present state.
• Each person is responsible for his or her own future and can change it through repentance and good deeds.
• Hindus believe that people vary in their degree of spiritual enlightenment and therefore tend to be more tolerant of other religions.
• Hindus believe that every belief system, no matter what its content, can be seen as a lesser form of Hinduism.

EXAMPLE 2: Judaism

• Laws which enable the Jewish believers to be guided on how to be tolerant of people of other religions.
• An important part of being Jewish is helping others who are in need.
• The collection of laws and rules relating to all aspects of a Jew's life is called the Mitzvot.
• Judaism teaches forgiveness of all people.
• It also teaches that all people should be Honoured
• Judaism teaches people about God’s love. (10)

[50]

QUESTION 5
5.1
5.1.1 The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA)

• It is the oldest and pioneer interfaith organisation on the continent of Africa.
• With a specific focus on Christian’s relations with Muslims.
• Founded in 1959.
• PROCMURA tries to promote the following within the churches in Africa:
  
  • Witness to the gospel within an interfaith environment.
  • Constructive engagement within Muslims for peace.
  • Among the programmes that it runs are those directed at women, youth, education, peace and reconciliation. (10)

5.1.2 Inter-Faith Action for Peace ( IFAPA)

• Brings together religious communities, civil society, private sector and governments.
• Commissioning meeting for religious leaders who take the IFAPA decisions.
• Sub-regional summits.
• Establishing and registering national chapters.
• Sending interfaith delegations to conflict risk areas.
• Participated in the legislative election in Togo.
• Organised exchange visits between landmine victims and survivors from Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda.
• Participated in the World Social Forum held in Kenya (2007)
• Formed the IFAPA Women Network.
• Established Youth Network.
• Launched ‘A Mother’s Cry for a Healthy Africa’. (10)

5.1.3 African Council of Religious Leaders (ACRL) / Also known as Religions for Peace (RFP)

• Was founded in 2002 and is the largest and most representative multi religious platform in Africa.
• Its vision is to bring together religious leaders and their communities in a common commitment to peace.
• Its guiding principles are:
• Respecting religious differences, acting on deeply held and widely shared moral concerns and values.
• Preserving the identity of each religious community.
• Honouring the different ways religious communities are recognised in Africa.
• Supporting locally led multi-religious structures within RFP networks in the continent.
• Upholding the principles of representativity, subsidiary, and solidarity.

NOTE: Other relevant responses must be accepted. (10)
5.2
5.2.1 HIV and Aids:

• Aids patients are cared for.
• They are also supported, often in prayer, by members representing all faiths. (4)

5.2.2 Anti-pornography march:

• Representatives from South African religions and their followers march to Parliament to deliver a scathing attack on pornography.
• Believe this to be their moral duty. (4)

5.2.3 Lifeline:

• This organisation is involved in counselling those in need.
• It also invites caring and courageous individuals to start a dialogue in every community.
• Volunteers commit their shifts to their Supreme Being. (4)

5.2.4 Public holiday celebrations:

• Public holiday celebrations are celebrated by everyone and in the opening of functions prayers are conducted without any religion being discriminated against.
• The prayers may be offered by a guru, a priest, pastor or an imam.
• A person is allowed to observe his /her holy days, without discrimination.
• Workers work when followers of other religions observe their celebrations. (4)

5.2.5 Multi-faith services:

• Services held in local church and inviting all faiths.
• Celebrating any aspect of human rights. (4)

NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited.
[50]
TOTAL MARKS SECTION B: 100
GRAND TOTAL: 150