RELIGION STUDIES PAPER 1
GRADE 12
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE EXAMINATIONS
MEMORANDUM
MAY/JUNE2021

SECTION A (COMPULSORY)
QUESTION 1
NOTE:
Credit the candidates if the correct word is provided instead of the letter.
1.1
1.1.1 B √ (1)
1.1.2 D √ (1)
1.1.3 C √ (1)
1.1.4 D √ (1)
1.1.5 A √ (1)
1.1.6 D √ (1)
1.1.7 C √ (1)
1.1.8 B √ (1)
1.1.9 C √ (1)
1.1.10 D √ (1)
1.2
1.2.1 Theravada√ (1)
1.2.2 Stages of life √ (1)
1.2.3 The Universal Declaration of Human Rights√ (1)
1.2.4 Resurrection√ (1)
1.2.5 Karma √ (1)
1.3
1.3.1

  • Quaker √
  • The others are all African Initiated Churches. √ (2)

1.3.2

  • Atheism √
  • The others all believe in the divine. √ (2)

1.3.3

  • Brahman √
  • The others all belong to Buddhism. √ (2)

1.3.4

  • Psalms. √
  • The others are kinds of stories/teachings.√ (2)

1.3.5

  • Sudras √
  • The others all belong to Islam/the Five Pillars of Islam. √ (2)
    NOTE: Credit the candidates if the correct word is provided instead of the letter.

1.4
1.4.1 C √ (1)
1.4.2 D √ (1)
1.4.3 A √ (1)
1.4.4 G √ (1)
1.4.5 F √ (1)
1.5
1.5.1 False √
He proposed a heliocentric view of the world. √ (2)
1.5.2 True √√ (2)
1.5.3 False √
The interpretation of the sacred texts of a religion is called hermeneutics. √
Pluralism a system which acknowledges more than one ultimate principle or acceptance of more than one religion. (2)
1.5.4 False √
The souls go to Heaven/Paradise. √ (2)
1.5.5 False √
Friedrich Engels. √ (2)
1.6
1.6.1

  • Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. √
  • It occurs in different religions, e.g. Christianity, Confucianism. √
  • However, it is a generally accepted principle not necessarily from religion. √
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (2)

1.6.2

  • It involves a journey by the pilgrim for a spiritual purpose. √
  • It can be undertaken alone or with others. √
  • Often it includes a visit to a holy site. √
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (2)

1.6.3

  • This is the name for God in Judaism. It also used by Christians. √
  • Jews believe that Yahweh made a sacred covenant with them. √
  • Yahweh is God of all creation (universalism) and God of Israel (particularism). √
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (2)

1.6.4

  • The ancestors are intermediaries between the physical and spiritual realm. √
  • They are the living dead in ATR .They look after the welfare of the living in African Traditional Religion. √
  • They are the Creator's messengers and caretakers of the physical world.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (2)

1.6.5

  • These are basic rights to which every person is entitled simply because he/she is a human being. √
  • It is based on the dignity of the human person. √
  • Key documents are the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948) and the Bill of Rights in the South African Constitution (1996). √
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (2)

TOTAL SECTION A: 50

SECTION B
Answer any TWO questions in this section.
QUESTION 2
2.1
2.1.1

  • There are many denominations in Christianity, such as the Baptists, Methodists and Anglicans.
  • A denomination is a group or church, usually within the Christian religion, but today applied to other religions as well. (2)

2.1.2

  • Deity refers to a god or goddess.
  • A deity is a being worshipped by humans because s/he is considered to be above the human level. (2)

2.1.3

  • Dharma is the way of Higher Truth in Buddhism./Hinduism.
  • It is the teachings and doctrines of the Buddhist/Hindu religion. (2)

2.1.4

  • Eucharist is the bread that is eaten at Christian rituals of worship in remembrance of the death of Jesus Christ.
  • It is a ceremony based on Jesus' last meal with his disciples. (2)

2.1.5

  • A teaching with absolute authority in a religion is known as a dogma.
  • A dogma is a teaching that may not be contested.

2.1.6 Comparability refers to the study of similarities and differences, between religions. (2)
NOTE: In 2.1.1–2.1.6, other relevant answers must be credited
2.2 JUDAISM

  • Jews entered into a covenant with God.
  • The Ten Commandments were revealed directly by God to Moses.
  • Jews were the first religious group to observe a special day of worship.

CHRISTIANITY

  • At the heart of Christianity is belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (Incarnation).
  • Belief in the Trinity is a core/unique teaching about divinity in Christianity.
  • There are three persons in one God - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

ISLAM

  • Its fundamental belief is the Shahada -that there is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His Prophet.
  • Allah revealed the final truth to Prophet Mohammed.
  • Islam recognises all the messengers of God, from Adam to Prophet Muhammad.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (12)

2.3
2.3.1

  • Unity means 'one with' or 'in agreement'
  • Christianity and Hinduism are 'together' in that they both have a belief in the afterlife.
  • Unique means 'one of a kind', something that belongs to the one religion exclusively. These religions have their 'unique beliefs' about the afterlife. (4)

2.3.2

CHRISTIANITY HINDUISM 
  • Christianity is a monotheistic religion that believes in a single creator God
  • Christians believe that Jesus fulfilled the Jewish prophecy of a Messiah, that he is a universal saviour.
  • Christians believe that people are made up of a body and a soul. They believe that when the body dies, the soul leaves the body to live with God.
  • Christians believe that people are born with a tendency to be sinful. God became incarnate in Jesus to show people how to get back on track.
  • Hindus believe there is only one ultimate reality, but many paths to reaching it. It is pantheistic (belief in many gods that are all around in nature).
  • They believe in karma that every action has a consequence which is either good or bad.
  • Hinduism is underpinned by the belief in reincarnation.
  • Dharma – the belief in an order in the whole of existence. Each person must follow the principles set out for him or her to keep the order of the universe. 

NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.
Credit correct responses even if they are not tabulated.
A maximum of EIGHT marks may be awarded if relevant points are from only one religion only. (12)
2.3.3

  • Swami Vivekananda attended the first Parliament of the World's Religions (PWR), held in Chicago in 1893.
  • He made an impression because his talks helped people of the west to understand Hinduism better, changing their attitude towards it.
  • He is credited with bringing Vedantic thought (understanding of the Vedas and Hinduism) to the United States.
  • He founded the Ramakrishna Mission, which works internationally in educational, medical and welfare matters. (6)

2.3.4

  • When outsiders come to a country and rule over the indigenous people, this is known as colonisation.
  • The colonisers also bring their religion with them and propagate it among the locals.
  • The locals internalise the values of the colonisers, including the religion. This is religious colonisation. (4)

[50]

QUESTION 3
3.1
3.1.1

  • It does not mean education, which is positive.
  • It actually means 'brainwashing', indoctrination, carrying a negative connotation. (2)

3.1.2

  • Preschools are described as 'prison camps'.
  • They are cast in a negative light.
  • Books and literature about Uyghur culture, prayer rugs, turbans and growing a beard have all been forbidden.
  • This shows the Chinese government’s anti-Uyghur/ anti- Muslim stance. (4)

3.1.3 It means vocational training/ indoctrination(2)
3.1.4 Encouraging/convincing others to do what is wrong. (2)
3.1.5

Related Items

  • The display of religious identity (turbans, beards, etc.) is not allowed.
  • The Uyghur people are closely monitored by security forces.
  • Children are separated from their families and put into 're-education' camps. (4)

3.1.6.

  • The translations will promote the position of the CCP in foreign countries.
  • These countries will then lift their trade restrictions against China.
  • However, the policy paper is for China.
  • The translations are meant to counter negative media coverage of the Uyghur camps. (4)

3.1.7

  • It exploits the stereotype that Muslims are terrorists.
  • It generalises that all Uyghur people are militant.
  • Once people are labelled as terrorists, they lose their basic human rights.
  • The government can then justify punishing them. (4)

3.1.8

  • The camps are established to combat terrorism /extremism.
  • They will be modernised.
  • The Uyghur people will develop vocational skills.
  • It is to avoid separatist movements. Hence the clampdown on Uyghur culture.
  • They should learn the Chinese language. (6)

3.1.9

  • Source A is an independent source, while Source B is pro-government.
  • Therefore A is more reliable. It is providing news.
  • Source B is on the policy paper, which is government propaganda.
  • Source B uses inflammatory language, such as 'terrorist,' and 'extremist'.
  • Source A is supported by Source B, because the government admits to indoctrination.
  • Source B blames the Uyghurs for their predicament. This is like blaming the victim for the crime. (8)

3.2

  • The media selects what news to include and what to leave out.
  • It also selects the prominence and emphasis to give to a particular item – where to place it in the report, how much time/ space to give to it, how to present it.
  • Another important influence is the selection of the visuals to accompany the news items.
  • The commentary accompanying the news is put together by the media house.
  • The advertisements placed in the media also shape public opinion.
  • Media has a huge influence in the selection of the people to be interviewed or quoted. It must be noted whose voice or opinion is being heard.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (6)

3.3 YES

  • Many religions have their own publications, radio and television stations. These are used for propagation.
  • The SABC broadcasts informative religious programmes, giving various religions fair and equitable exposure time.
  • There is a thought-provoking and entertaining religious aspect in many films, music concerts and gospel music.
  • For an interested person there is no lack of media avenues from which to find out about religion(s).
  • For the sick and house-bound, or those who for any reason cannot attend, there are regular religious services over the media, so that they can feel included.

NO

  • With regard to daily news, there is little coverage of religious matters.
  • When there is religious coverage in the daily news, it tends to be sensationalist and negative.
  • The average journalist/reporter is not usually well-trained in religious matters, and reporting is therefore likely to be rather superficial.
  • For the person interested in religion, one cannot rely on the average media coverage to get an accurate picture. One needs to go beyond this to seek out reliable information.
  • NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.
    A mix of YES and NO responses may be accepted, provided they answer the question. (8)

[50]

QUESTION 4
4.1
4.1.1

  • Religious tolerance means accepting and respecting other religions that are different from one's own.
  • On a political level it means treating all religions equally.
  • It means permitting people to choose a belief system, and to worship according to any religion(s) they choose. (4)

4.1.2

  • The Western idea of religious tolerance is based on Western beliefs and cultures which promote the individual's rights above those of the community.
  • Western religious tolerance gives the individual freedom to choose one religion of his/her choice.
  • It is also permissible for a person to change his/her religion.
  • Eastern religious tolerance means that one can practise more than one religion at the same time.
  • One can integrate the beliefs and practices of a variety of religions. E.g. a person may have Buddhist beliefs, but may practise Taoist rituals.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (6)

4.2
4.2.1

  • The law court was established 'to keep Catholic beliefs and practices pure'.
  • This was in the early days of the Protestant movement (Reformation) when Catholicism viewed alternative interpretations as heresy.
  • At the time there were a number of 'converts' to Catholicism from Judaism and Islam.
  • The Catholic Church was concerned whether the conversion was genuine or not ('… were converted completely').
  • The Jews and Muslims might 'still be practising their former religions in secret'.
  • If so, they would be tried by the Spanish Inquisition. (6)

4.2.2 NO

  • Muslims and Jews were given the option to convert, or leave Spain. They could not exercise 'free will' in choosing their religion.
  • Nobody would voluntarily convert to a new religion and secretly practise their old religion.
  • This would only be done if there was fear of victimisation.
  • If only converts were subjected to 'trial by fire', it would be safer to remain as Jews or Muslims. (6)

4.2.3

  • Apartheid was justified by a corrupt interpretation of the Bible by the NGK, which seemed to justify separate development of each race group.
  • The caste system in Hinduism is used to group human beings into castes, which are not treated as equal.
  • In some Muslim communities, girls are not allowed to be educated, while there is nothing in scripture to support this.
  • The Crusades against the Muslims, were justified as holy wars.
  • NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (8)

4.3

  • Freedom of religion is a human right.
  • It is enshrined in the Bill of Rights of the SA Constitution.
  • Because of this, all religions are equally respected.
  • No religion is favoured above another – all are treated equally.
  • The State has the right to intervene if one religion infringes on the rights of another.
  • People are free to choose or change their religion, and to worship and practise it.
  • Along with this right comes the responsibility to respect the religions rights of others.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (8)

4.4
4.4.1

  • 'Blessed are the peacemakers' (Christianity)
  • 'Peace I give you' (Christianity)
  • The Eightfold Path of Buddhism encourages 'Right effort, right mindfulness, right concentration – meditation
  • These teachings promote the value of peace, both within oneself (mindfulness, meditation), and outwardly, passing it on and spreading it amongst others. Christians are encouraged to be peacemakers.
  • NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (4)

4.4.2

  • Every person is made in the image of God (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
  • Every person is unique (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)
  • The Abrahamic religions teach that every person has dignity and is of infinite worth based on these teachings.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (4)

4.4.3

  • All are created equal by Allah. We are therefore all part of the same family, no matter what we believe. (Islam)
  • Love your neighbour as you love yourself. (Christianity)
  • Ubuntu (ATR)
  • Islam teaches the brotherhood of mankind, thus equality.
  • Christianity and Ubuntu in ATR emphasise the building up of the community through respect and equality.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (4)

[50]

QUESTION 5
5.1

  • All schools are open and welcome learners of all races, creeds and religion.
  • No child may be discriminated against on the basis of religious belief.
  • This is guaranteed by 'access to education' in our Constitution.
  • Schools include Religion Studies in the curriculum. It teaches respect and tolerance of different religions.
  • Both teachers and learners are allowed to observe religious holidays.
  • Schools may not promote any religion during school hours.
  • Creative Arts is included in the curriculum, from which we learn about different religions and cultures.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (8)

5.2 YES

  • Since there is no state religion, all religions enjoy equal support from government.
  • This promotes mutual respect and positive relations between religions.
  • Freedom of religion is enshrined in the Constitution of South Africa.
  • All religions are respected and treated equally in terms of the Constitution.
  • At state events, such as the inauguration of the state president or celebration of public holidays, Heritage Day, for example, leaders from various different religions are invited to participate.
  • Various churches and religions gather to pray together and work together to tackle common problems.
  • In South Africa, there are organisations that promote interfaith dialogue such as the Religious Leader's Forum.
  • During the COVID-19 pandemic, various churches and religions worked together to help the poor, and to prevent the spread of the disease.

NO

  • Interreligious relationships, while not bad, need to be actively promoted.
  • Despite initiatives here and there, on the whole religions still largely keep to themselves.
  • There is still too much exclusivism and scepticism.
  • If interreligious relationships are to be described as good, then there should be a closer, warmer and more welcoming atmosphere between them.
  • There is still much to learn about each other's religions.
  • We need to pray and interact together and share resources more.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.

A mix of YES and NO responses may be accepted, provided they answer the question. (8)
5.3

  • In a secular country religion and the government are separated.
  • Religion does not influence how the country is run.
  • There is no state religion.
  • Membership of a religion is a personal, private, individual matter.
  • However, we can say that SA is 'very religious' because statistically most of its citizens claim to belong to a religion.
  • South Africa has communities belonging to all the mainstream religious groups, as well as others.
  • Thus, although the country is secular, there are numerous places of worship for all religions.
  • All religious observances are respected by civil society and government.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (10)

5.4
5.4.1

  • Witness to the gospel within an interfaith environment.
  • Constructive engagement with Muslims for peace.
  • Runs programmes directed at women, youth, education, for peace and reconciliation. (6)

5.4.2

  • It brings together religious communities, civil society, private sector and governments.
  • Commissioning meeting of religious leaders who take the IFAPA decisions.
  • Establishing and registering national chapters. (6)

5.4.3

  • Uphold the principles of representative, subsidiarity and solidarity.
  • Supporting locally led multi-religious structures within RfP networks on the continent.
  • Honouring the different ways religious communities are organised in Africa.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (6)

5.5

  • To treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves.
  • To refrain from inflicting pain in both public and private life.
  • Calling upon all women and men to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion.
  • To make compassion a clear, luminous and dynamic force in our polarized world.
    NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited. (6)

[50]
TOTAL SECTION B: 100
GRAND TOTAL: 150

Last modified on Wednesday, 02 March 2022 06:38