RELIGION STUDIES PAPER 2
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
MEMORANDUM
SEPTEMBER 2018

QUESTION 1
1.1 Central teachings of any ONE religion. Christianity is used as an example:
1.1.1 Nature of divinity:

• Christians believe in the existence of a supreme being and divine being known as God.
• God manifests Himself as three persons:
  
  • God the father as Creator of the universe.
  • God the Son as Saviour and Liberator of humanity.
  • And God the Holy Spirit as Counsellor of Christians. (10)

1.1.2 Place and responsibility of humanity in the world:

• Christians believe that humans are created in the image of God.
• After creating Adam and Eve, God instructed them to look after the Garden of Eden and the whole of creation.
• As co-creators with God, humans are God’s representatives on earth.
• God has appointed them to look after his property, the world.
• They are accountable to God. (10)

1.1.3 Life after death:

• Christians believe that human beings are created immortal.
• However, Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s commands.
• The penalty for their sin was death for the human race.
• Even after this condemnation, God still tried to liberate humanity from evil and death.
• After death Christians envisage a new community that will be marked by love, sharing and caring. (10)

1.2 African Traditional Religion as example:
AmaZulu Religion:

• The traditional AmaZulu religion acknowledges the existence of a Supreme Being and Creator called, Mvelinqangi or the First to Exist.
• All communication with the Supreme Being is done through the ancestors.
• The AmaZulu religion has a feminine divinity called uNomkhubulwane.
• The feminine divinity is associated with fertility.
• The ancestors are more significant than in other religions.
• Most of the rituals are led by the eldest male of the household.
• When the whole tribe is gathered for a celebration, the king of AmaZulu presides.

The Aka Religion:

• The Aka from Central Africa are nomadic hunter-gathers.
• There is great variance of religions among the Aka tribes.
• They believe in the creator spirit called Bembe.
• They believe that Bembe retired from creation after the act of creation.
• The forest spirit Dzengi, receives the most religious attention from the Aka.
• The Aka believe in reincarnation.
• They believe that animals and humans reincarnate within their own species. (20)

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QUESTION 2
2.1 State possible causes of environmental destruction:

• Environmental destruction is caused by irresponsible use of chemicals (pesticides and plant fertilisers).
• It is also caused by the excess burning of fossil fuels.
• This increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Excessive increases in carbon emissions from factories and transport result in the ‘greenhouse’ effect/global warming.
• This raises the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere, resulting in climate change.
• It is caused by some human activities such as dumping of waste products in open areas (land pollution).
• Improper farming methods also harm the environment causing soil erosion.
  (Any relevant fact should be credited.) (10)

2.2 Analyse the impact of environmental destruction on society:

• The weather and climate have changed (global warming).
• There are more frequent storms, droughts and floods across our planets.
• Desertification is increasing, especially in Africa.
• This results in food shortages.
• The ozone layer has developed a hole which causes temperatures to increase.
• More people are dying yearly because of diseases caused by air pollution.
• The seriousness of disease has increased because our bodies fail to adapt to the ever-changing environment.
  (Any relevant fact should be credited.) (10)

2.3 State practical strategies that religious organisations can implement to protect the environment:

• Religious organisations should be formed.
• They should fight against environmental destruction in their areas.
• They must organise practical campaigns against environmental destruction, e.g. collection of water, renewing energy, food gardens etc.
• Teach their adherents the importance of nature conservation while dealing with environmental issues.
• All religious organisations must have subcommittees that promote the protection of the environment and nature conservation.
  (Any relevant facts should be credited.) (14)

2.4 With reference to the teachings of any ONE religion, discuss the solutions that it offers for the protecting of the environment.
EXAMPLE 1: CHRISTIANITY

• The Christian religion teaches that the people are created in the image of God to rule the earth on behalf of God.
• Man is responsible for every creation and must account to God.
• In the Book of Genesis, God commanded Adam to take care of the garden (to work in the garden).
• God commanded that the land also sanctify the Sabbath to honour the order as a way to preserve the land/earth.
• God condemns the destruction of fruit bearing trees even when a war is being conducted.
• In the book, Jeremiah God warns against the destruction of nature and wild life.
• The Bible condemns the destruction/killing (death)/abuse of animals.
• The world belongs to the Lord, the earth and all its inhabitants, therefore we must look after the surroundings.
• In the Book of 2 Kings, it appears that the prophet Elisha, restored a water crisis caused by pollution.
• The Lord Jesus Christ used examples of nature in his teachings about the kingdom of God.

EXAMPLE 2: AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION

• Amazulu have the goddess of nature called uNomkhubulwane.
• She is approached during times of natural disaster.
• They believe that she is half forest and half land.
• There are different myths which are told to the young ones, so they can respect nature.
• For example, if you urinate in the river you will become the opposite sex which was a way of not polluting the river.
• Burning the land unnecessary is a punishable offence in African Traditional Religion.
• They believe in traditional medicine made of herbs and some animals.
• Plants and animals were life to the then Africans.
• They believe that the ancestors use different animals as their messengers to communicate with the living e.g. bees.
• African Traditional Religion was the custodian of nature in Africa before colonisation.
  (Any relevant fact should be credited.) (16)

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QUESTION 3
3.1 Normative sources:
3.1.1 Inspiration:

• Inspiration refers to the breath (power, knowledge) of an extra-ordinary being or power for example of deity taking over a person and inspiring him or her with divine knowledge.
• People may feel that they possess such power or that they have received a revelation.
• This meaning suggests, how at various times, various people have felt that they have very special, direct and immediate access to a dimension of being, understanding or power that is beyond everyday experience.
• Such inspiration may have authority.
• These people then derive secondary inspiration from the original, primary inspiration.
• In most religions there are figures, with followers, who are believed to have been inspired by higher powers and wisdom. (10)

3.1.2 Oral tradition:

• The original inspiration is spread first by oral tradition.
• The original message is passed on from one person to another and from one generation to another by word of mouth.
• Such oral tradition may be transmitted faithfully for hundreds and even thousands of years.
• Writing is a recent invention.
• Oral tradition is a normative source of primary importance throughout religious history.
  (Any relevant fact should be credited.) (10)

3.1.3 Sacred texts:

• Writing entered the religious scene about 4000 years ago.
• Since then it has played an ever-increasing role.
• Before writing was invented, information was passed on by word of mouth from one generation to another.
• Other information was written on stones or rocks and caves.
• This information was also taken to the text.
• The Qur’an itself is generally seen as a perfect copy of the original eternal inspired tablet in heaven.
• In Hinduism revealed (heard) writings (Shruti) are distinguished from secondary, (remembered) derived from humanly composed writings.
• Vedas for Hinduism.
• The Bible and other texts for Christians. (10)

3.2 The hermeneutical principles that apply to the normative sources of the selected religion:

• The word hermeneutics means to interpret.
• Taken in its traditional context, hermeneutics has meant the attempt by men and women of either secular or religious viewpoints, perspectives or bias to interpret scripture primarily in the light of their own beliefs, and secondly in its historical context.
• The principles of hermeneutical interpretation are:
  
  • Grammar and historical context
  • Clearest meaning
  • Plan, purpose and context
  • Meaning of words
  • Figurative language
  • The consideration of other sacred texts
• The Christian Bible consists of the Old and the New Testament.
• These scriptures were declared authoritatively by previous faith communities.
• Never in the history of the Bible has there ever been only one way of interpreting Biblical texts.
• According to Islam the Qur’an is a sacred scripture which contains divine revelation from God to his messenger.
• Muslim scholars refer to interpretation, commentary and hermeneutics as ‘tafsir’.
• The word ‘tafsir’ is a complex term and refers to the comprehensive understanding and knowledge of the Qur’an.
• It also refers to the process of finding its meaning and to the process of stating and applying its rules, wisdom and maxims. (20)

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QUESTION 4
4.1 Darwin’s Theory Evolution and its impact on religious beliefs:

• This theory teaches us that all humans and other forms of life on earth were created through the process of gradual development or evolution.
• Humans developed from apes/chimpanzees.
• Humans were not created by a Divine Being or a Supreme Being.
• This could mean that religions or religious teaching were false.
• For some this could mean the end of religion.
• This theory caused great divisions in many religious communities.
• Some felt that evolution is compatible with religious views. (14)

4.2 The responses of the three Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity and Islam):

• The three Abrahamic faiths tend to reject the idea of evolution.
• The greater part of the Jews, Christians and Muslims are more traditional or orthodox.
• They believe that everything in the universe, humans included, was created by their god.
• The Abrahamic faiths believe that their holy text contains the Word of God, and therefore the book of Genesis explains the story of how everything was created and should be accepted as literal truth.
• This view is referred to as Creationism.
• God created the universe as part of the divine plan for humanity.
• Orthodox groups with Abrahamic religions say that it states in the Qur’an, the Bible and the Torah that God created Adam, the first human.
• It is impossible that humans evolved from animals.
• The other religious groups: the liberal or progressive Jews, Christians and Muslims argue that if everything in the universe was created by God, then the process of evolution is also part of God’s divine plan.
• The synthesis of evolution and religious doctrine is referred to as guided or theistic evolution.
• According to this view, the theory of evolution is accepted as an explanation for how everything was created and the process was guided by the divine force.
• They believe that God controls and guides everything. (16)

4.3 Big Bang Theory:

• The Big bang theory is currently the most popular scientific theory about the creation of the universe.
• The scientific theory maintains that before the big bang it was not known what existed before.
• After the big bang the universe appeared and also filled out to enormous size.
• The big bang occurred 15 billion years ago.
• Small temperature differences in the first explosion led to varying densities through the universe.
• The cluster continued to condense in a lumpy way and eventually formed that vast collection of stars we call galaxies.
• Our earth is part of the solar system. (20)

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QUESTION 5
5.1 With reference to any ONE religion, answer the following questions:
5.1.1 State differences in teaching.
EXAMPLE: CHRISTIANITY
Catholicism:

• In Catholicism and Protestantism, it is believed that God is made up of three equal but separate entities.
• This is referred to as the Trinity.
• In Catholicism salvation is based on rituals such as baptism, confession, etc.
• The Catholic Church was founded by Christ.

Eastern Orthodox Church:

• In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the addition of the ‘SON’ is rejected, as they believe that the Holy Spirit is superior.
• Believe that it is the only original church founded by Christ and his disciples.

Protestantism:

• Protestants also believe in the Holy Trinity.
• In Protestantism, faith is seen as the key to salvation. (10)

5.1.2 Difference in governance:
Catholicism:

• Political control is traditional as seen in Rome.
• The head of the Catholic Church is the Pope.
• The first pope is known as St. Peter.
• The Catholic Church has many orders of monks, priests, friars and nuns.
• All Catholics are governed by the Vatican.
• The parish is an area or district with a specific church and priest.

Eastern Orthodox:

• Political control was traditional in Constantinople.
• They are found in the Middle East, parts of Africa, Greece and Russia.
• The church structure comprises of priests and bishops.
• There is no single leader.
• Authority within the church is in the hands of a group of bishops.
• A diocese is a group of preachers under the leadership of a bishop.

Protestantism:

• This movement was started in 1517 by a German monk, Martin Luther.
• The churches are ruled by the ordained ministers, bishops or elected elders.
• The overall rule is by higher authority than the congregation. (10)

5.1.3 Differences in practices:
Catholicism:

• Celibacy among the clergy is mandatory.
• Practices include fasting during Lent, to observe the crucifixion of Jesus.
• Penance is the paying penalty for sinning.
• This penance is determined at the time of confession.
• Pilgrimage to holy lands (e.g. the Vatican) and meditation are key practices for Catholics.
• The most important practice is receiving of the Eucharist.

Eastern Orthodox:

• Clergy are not celibate and can marry.
• Devotion is seen as more important than doctrine.
• Baptism is immersion.
• This is followed by anointment.

Protestantism:

• Ordination of women is a protestant practice.
• They conduct healing through prophecy.
• Priests and ministers do not have to be celibate and they can marry. (10)

5.2 Choose TWO of the following world views and explain their contributions to development.
EXAMPLE 1: Agnosticism

• This term comes from a Greek word ‘gnosis’ which means knowledge.
• It is a philosophy that has come to be understood in various ways.
• Most of them claim that it is impossible to know for certain whether or not God, gods or goddesses really exist.
• In some cases, they tend to reject most religions and their teachings.
• They argue that if there is such a thing as a supreme being or divine power, it is so great that it is beyond the understanding of humans.
• For this reason, agnostics can be very sceptical of religious teachings.

EXAMPLE 2: Atheism

• Atheists are people who do not believe that divine beings or a supreme power exists.
• Atheism is seen as a secular world view because it is the opposite of theism.
• In some cases, soft or neutral atheists reject both theism and strong atheism, because they feel that both world views depend on faith and proof to support their claims.
• In the modern world people have chosen to be atheists for different reasons.
• Many of them argue that it is not logical to believe in a divine power. (20)

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TOTAL: 150