Religious Studies Paper One (P1)
Grade 12
Amended Senior Certificate Exam
Past Papers And Memos 2016

MEMORANDUM

SECTION A (COMPULSORY) 
In this section, each fact carries ONE mark, unless otherwise stated. 
QUESTION 1  

1.1

1.1.1 C✔ (1)
1.1.2 C✔ (1)
1.1.3 A✔ (1)
1.1.4 B✔ (1)
1.1.5 C✔ (1)
1.1.6 C✔ (1)
1.1.7 A✔ (1)
1.1.8 C✔ (1)
1.1.9 C✔ (1)
1.1.10 A✔ (1) 

1.2     

1.2.1     

• • The Kitáb-i-Aqdas is a Baha'i book 
  • It contains most of Bahá'u'lláh's doctrines in the Baha'i faith. ✔
  • It is also referred to as the Book of Certitude. ✔ (2) 

1.2.2

• • Reincarnation is the belief in the rebirth of the soul. ✔
  • It is the spirit in a new body.
  • Reincarnation is a central belief in Hinduism. ✔ (2) 

1.2.3 

• • A mantra is a verse, syllable or phrase that is believed to be of  divine origin. ✔
  • Its origin is in Hinduism.
  • It is also used in ritual or meditation in different religions. ✔ (2) 

1.2.4

• • Yin and Yang refer to a belief in Taoism. ✔
  • It teaches that everything in creation consists of two opposing  forces. ✔  
  • The Yin is passive, dark, yielding and female. The Yang is active,  light, forceful and male. ✔ (2)

1.2.5

• • Comparability in a religious context refers to a comparison  between different religions (interreligious comparison). ✔
  • It is a comparison between different branches/movements within  the same religion (intrareligious comparison). ✔ (2)

1.3       

1.3.1 Moses ✔ He was a leader of the Jewish nation, while the others  are names of the Supreme Being. ✔ (2) 
1.3.2 St Luke ✔ He is not related to Taoism. ✔ (2) 
1.3.3 Diviner ✔ The other words refer to normative sources/ sacred texts in different religions. ✔ (2)
1.3.4 Dharma ✔ The others are sects of Hinduism. ✔ Dharma is a term  widely used in Eastern religions, meaning a way of higher truth,  and has a variety of other meanings. ✔ (2)
1.3.5 Dar es Salaam. ✔ The other words refer to holy places. ✔ (2) 

1.4 Interreligious conflict is conflict between different religions. ✔ 'Inter' means  between two or more. ✔ 
      Intrareligious conflict is conflict between the branches/movements or groups  that belong to the same religion. ✔'Intra' means from within. ✔ (4) 
1.5       

1.5.1 E✔ (1)
1.5.2 D✔ (1)
1.5.3 F✔ (1)
1.5.4 B✔ (1)
1.5.5 A✔ (1)
1.5.6 H✔ (1) 

1.6       

1.6.1 False ✔ The Tripitaka is one of the sacred books of Buddhism./ The Torah is one of the sacred books of Judaism. ✔ (2) 
1.6.2 False ✔ A person with conservative values displays deep religious  commitment and holds on to traditional values. ✔ (2) 
1.6.3 True✔✔ (2) 
1.6.4 False ✔ The veneration of the ancestors is practised by African  Traditional Religion. ✔ (2) 
1.6.5 False ✔ A bodhisattva is someone who could enter nirvana but has  decided to delay this entrance in order to help others, out of  compassion for their suffering. ✔ (2)

TOTAL SECTION A: 50

SECTION B 
In this section, each fact carries two marks. 
QUESTION 2 
2.1       

2.1.1 Belief 

• • Belief is often used to mean the same as thinking deeply about  religious teaching and accepting it as being true.
  • Belief may mean acceptance of a fact, a thing, a statement or  a teaching in a particular religion.
  • It may also mean a firm opinion about religion.
  • Belief may also be used as a synonym for religion.
  • Belief may also refer to faith.
    NOTE: Any other relevant responses must be credited. A  maximum of TWO marks may be awarded for giving examples. (6) 

2.1.2 Dogma 

• • The word 'dogma' comes from the Greek word 'dogma', which means appearance or opinion in religion.
  • It is a principle or system laid down by a religious authority.
  • It is a set of beliefs taken to be absolutely true and fixed in  religion.
  • The beliefs in dogma are not up for discussion.
  • There is no absolute cut-off point between teaching and dogma in religion.
  • In Islam, for example, there are dogmatic principles that are  contained in the aqidah. (6) 

2.1.3 Myth 

• • The word 'myth' comes from the word 'mythos', meaning a  word or fable.
  • It refers to those stories that reveal the deepest truths about  creation and life.
  • It teaches about life after death in religion.
  • Myths form the basis of teaching and even dogma in some  religions.
  • A myth does not necessarily try to make a moral point in  religion. (6) 

2.1.4 Doctrine 

• • It is a set of beliefs or principles in religion.
  • Doctrines are the beliefs that provide a central frame of  reference for religion.
  • It is also a statement of beliefs and its function is to safeguard what is important in a religion.
  • Doctrines also refer to the entire set of beliefs in a religion. (6) 

2.2   

EXAMPLE 1: African Traditional Religion 

• It is a clan-based religion. 
• Elderly people are the major leaders in the ATR. 
• It promotes the veneration of the ancestors. 
• It focuses on moral practices and rituals.
• Punishment and reward are here and now, not after death. 
• A communal way of life is central and individualism is discouraged. 
• It has no founder. 
• It also has no sacred book. 

EXAMPLE 2: Christianity 

• Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God. 
• They believe that God sent His Son to die for their sins. 
• They believe that God took a human form in Jesus Christ. 
• They believe in the Trinity – the Father; the Son and the Holy Spirit. 
• They believe that Jesus Christ died and rose from the dead after three  days. 
• They believe that forgiveness is in the name of Jesus Christ. 
• They believe that Jesus Christ is the only way to God. 
• They celebrate the Holy Communion (Eucharist) as remembrance of the  death of Christ. (10)

In 2.3, a maximum of TWELVE marks is awarded if only one religion is discussed. 

2.3.1 Right to life 

• According to various religions, human life is sacred. 
• In some religions, e.g. in the Ten Commandments found in the Christian and Jewish scriptures, it is clearly stated that 'Thou  shall not kill.' 
• The protection of human life takes preference over all other  religious activities in Islam. 
• The Qur'an states that taking one human life unjustly is like  killing the whole of humanity, and the saving of a human life is  like saving all of humanity. 
• In the Qur'an 4:29–30 the Muslims are expected to refrain from  killing one another. They are also to bear in mind that Allah is  merciful. 
• In ATR, the birth of a child is a gift from the ancestors, hence  the right to life is held in high regard. 
• The Abrahamic Faiths teach that abortion is a major sin. (6) 

2.3.2 Respect 

• Respect is one of the basic teachings in all major religions. 
• In the Baha'i faith, respect is of paramount importance and this religion teaches that women should be treated with respect  and their dignity be protected. 
• In the Abrahamic faiths the adherents are expected to teach  respect for all God's creation at home.  
• In the sacred Books, it is stated that husbands should love  their wives and wives should honour their husbands. 
• The children should be taught to obey the elderly and the  elderly should not upset or treat the children with disrespect. 
• The Buddhist religion teaches that the wife should be treated  with honour and the wife should be faithful to her husband. (6)

2.3.3 Love 

• The Christian Bible emphasises the value of love in  John 3:16: 'For God so loved the world that He gave His only  Son to die for us.' 
• In the Qur'an, Allah is portrayed as love and merciful, therefore  the Islamic followers are expected to reflect that love in their  daily living. 
• Ubuntu is a teaching in the African Traditional Religion that  encourages people to display love among one another. (4)

[50] 

QUESTION 3 

3.1           

• Jihad is an Arabic word meaning 'to strive, to apply oneself, to struggle, to  persevere'.
• It is also the religious duty of Muslims to maintain their religion.
• It includes defensive military action to protect the religion and Muslim life.
• It is regarded as a Holy War.
  [Source: islamicsupremecouncil.org] (4) 

3.2          (12) 

3.3       

• Religion plays a very small role in this conflict. 
• This conflict started as a civil uprising in 2011. 
• It was against the Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad.  
• The United States and Europe promised to support the rebels (Free  Syrian Army). 
• However, Western support for the rebels stopped when the West realised  that the rebels included groups that wanted to be independent of US  influence/wanted to form a state based on Islamic values. 
• The Syrian government gets Shi'a support from Hezbollah and Iran. 
• The rebel movements are mainly Sunni. 
• This is the extent of religious involvement in the conflict. 
• IS (Islamic State) is also Sunni, but opposes both the rebels and the  Syrian army. 
• The Syrian army as well as the rebels both have outside support. 
• This makes the conflict an international, political one between Russia and  the West.
  [Source: bbc.com/news/world-middle east] (14)

3.4             

• The United States, France and Germany have been supporting the Syrian  rebel movements from the start of the conflict. 
• Iran has supported the Syrian government. 
• Russia is Iran's ally, and has recently begun bombing campaigns against  the enemies of the Syrian regime. 
• IS, based in Iraq, has also taken sizeable parts of Syria (such as the  Kweiris air base.)  
• Millions of Syrian refugees have been forced to move to various parts of  the world, including Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and some European  countries. 
• The recent downing of a Russian passenger plane is alleged to be the  work of IS. 
• The attacks in Paris on 13 November 2015 are also linked to IS revenge  on European attacks on its bases. (12) 

3.5         

3.5.1 Evangelical wars 

• • These are wars where a religious state decides that people of a  neighbouring state must convert to the 'true' religion. (2) 

3.5.2 Wars of self-defence 

• • These wars are waged in the interest of justice; evil must be opposed, and good upheld. (2) 

3.5.3 Wars of retaliation. 

• • These are fought to avenge an offence committed against a specific religion. (2) 

3.5.4 Wars of conquest 

• • These are fought for the glory of God. Military success is seen as a  reflection of the glory of God. (2)

QUESTION 4 

4.1        4.1.1

• • Human rights, in a religious context, refers to the inherent  dignity of a human being.
  • It also means that the existence of a human being gives him or  her high value on earth.
  • This concept is centred upon the belief that all human beings  are created in the image of God. (4) 

4.1.2

• • It had an office called 'The Holy Office of the Inquisition  Against Heretical Depravity.'
  • The purpose of the Holy Office was to try to keep Catholic beliefs and practices pure by prosecuting people who did not follow an orthodox version of Catholicism.
  • It also worked to ensure that the converts from Islam and  Jewish religions were genuinely converted.
  • The Inquisition included trial by fire – 'true' Christians would not  be consumed by the fire, while those burned at the stake were  imposters. (6)

4.1.3

• • The Spanish Inquisition violated many people's human rights  since it did not consider the rights of the individual to freedom of choice/religion.
  • The Holy Office disregarded the dignity of the person as an  independent thinking being that could make sound decisions about his or her own spiritual life.
  • The Spanish Inquisition deprived people of Islamic and Jewish religions of religious freedom.
  • This body also subjected believers to cruel 'trials' which  involved burning people at the stake.
  • Accordingly, the Holy Office did not enable the people to practise their religions freely without intimidation. 
  • The Spanish Inquisition also interfered with people's right to  privacy, since it always followed them around to ensure that  they were not secretly practising their original religions.
  • This Inquisition also put people on trial even if they were not  guilty, but on the basis of suspicion. (12) 

4.1.4 • Religious freedom is protected in South Africa by the  Constitution. 

• • In South Africa, all religions are treated with equal respect by  the government.
  • At public gatherings, e.g. during Parliamentary sessions, a  moment of silence is observed to allow for all religions to enjoy  recognition.
  • In public schools the curriculum has been designed to enable  the learners to be exposed to a variety of religions through the introduction of Religion Studies as a subject.
  • All religions have the right to observe their holy days and  festivities without fear or intimidation.
  • Different faith groups are encouraged to work together in order  to tackle social ills.
  • During the opening of Parliament, and the inauguration of the President of the country, various delegates from different  religious formations participate in the prayer sessions.
  • There is also a continuous interreligious dialogue to tackle  issues of common interest. 
    NOTE: Other relevant facts must be credited. (12)

4.2           

•  They were able to organise exchange visits between landmine victims  and survivors from Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda.
• They also sent women's delegations to Nordic countries.
• They formed the IFAPA Women's Network.
• They sent interfaith delegations to conflict risk areas. 
• They also participated in the legislative elections in Togo. 
• They participated in the World Social Forum held in Kenya. 
• They also organised the Nakanyonyi Youth Peace Camp. 
• They succeeded in holding the first continental/African interfaith youth  consultation. 
• They also established regional Youth Networks. 
• Inaugurated the Rural Water Project in Rwanda. (16)

[50]

QUESTION 5 

5.1         

• There are four scripturally ordained goals in Hinduism e.g. Artha • They believe in reincarnation (rebirth of the soul). 
• They believe in the Law of Karma -every action has future consequences. • Their social structure is based on a caste system. 
• They believe in many manifestations of God. 
• Each manifestation is depicted in the form of a god/goddess.
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (6) 

5.2 There are many changes that took place with regard to interreligious relations.  The following are only some of them: 

• South Africa is now a secular state. It has no state religion. 
• Multifaith services have been held in some of the local churches, where  all faiths have been invited to celebrate an aspect of human rights and  other activities.  
• HIV/Aids patients are cared for and supported, often in prayer, by  members representing all faith groups. 
• There was a march by the representatives from South African religions  and their followers to Parliament to deliver a scathing attack on  pornography. 
• In the opening of Parliament, various religious leaders from different faith  groups commit themselves to a Greater Deity. 
• Public holiday celebrations (e.g. a rally on Freedom Day) have on several  occasions been conducted and addressed by an Imam, a guru and a  priest.  
• Religions come together whenever there is a problem. 
• There is an appreciation of all spiritual endeavours, regardless of religion  or sect. 
• There is greater tolerance and respect of all faiths. This is evident in  media coverage. 
• Examples of this are 'Issues of Faith', Islam Channel, offering of prayers  by different faiths on TV. (14) 

5.3   

5.3.1 

• • A 'bling pastor' is a flamboyant religious leader.
  • She/he wears ostentatious clothing and jewellery.
  • This person creates an image of being wealthy.
    NOTE:Other relevant explanations must be credited. (4) 

5.3.2

• • The article displays a negative attitude towards religion.
  • This article shows a clear antireligious bias.
  • The miracles are described as 'tricks'.
  • The churches are described as 'rogue' churches, even before  the investigation is completed.
  • It implies that churches hide their wealth.
  • The SACC is described as 'toothless', meaning that it is  ineffective.
  • The pastors are referred to as 'bling' pastors, implying that they  are all about ostentation and showmanship.
    OR
  • The article treats religion in a fair and unbiased manner.
  • It is reporting in the interest of the public good. 
  • It demands greater accountability to the public, in terms of  funding, and in terms of “miracles”, which could be harmful to  congregants.
  • It encourages the regulation of churches. (12)

5.3.3 YES 

• • Religious organisations should be bona fide charity  organisations.
  • Some churches/organisations take advantage of gullible  followers.
  • They raise large sums of money from these gullible donors,  and use it for themselves.
  • Religious bodies should be regulated, so that their authenticity  is checked.
  • Congregants do not have the knowledge to distinguish  between genuine and fake religious leaders.
  • The credentials of the pastors are never checked.

          NO 

• • Religion is about beliefs/faith.
  • These beliefs cannot be proved or disproved by investigation. • Miracles cannot be explained by scientific inquiry, and yet they  are accepted as fact by religious communities.
  • Religions are self-regulated, as they answer to a supreme  being.
  • Religious leaders are often inspired. However, a non-believer  will simply not accept the evidence of inspiration.
  • The practices cannot be proven as authentic: they are held to  be true in the minds of the congregants only.
  • It is therefore not possible to regulate a religion from the point  of view of a non-believer.
  • Believers, on the other hand, see no need for regulation.
    NOTE: Other relevant explanations must be credited. (6) 

5.3.4

• • The blessed/anointed pastors Penuel Mnguni and Daniel  Mosoue have once again demonstrated their gifts/powers  conferred upon them by the Lord/supreme being. 
  • Miraculously, the congregants drank petrol and ate poisonous  snakes, without being harmed in any way. 
  • It is sheer jealousy of fake churches that they wish to  investigate our organisation.
  • If they were true churches, why can they not show us their  miracles?
  • Our loyal congregants are reminded that donations to the  church are encouraged, but are completely voluntary.
    NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (8)

[50]
GRAND TOTAL: 150