NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
RELIGION STUDIES P1
NOVEMBER 2021
MARKING GUIDELINES
GRADE 12

SECTION A (COMPULSORY)
NOTE: Credit the candidates if the correct word is provided instead of the letter.

QUESTION 1

1.1

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

1.2

1.2.1 Sufism√ (1)
1.2.2 Zionist Churches√ (1)
1.2.3 Conservative Judaism√ (1)
1.2.4 Dalai Lama√ (1)
1.2.5 Polytheism√ (1)

1.3

1.3.1 Shoghi Effendi √
The others are scientists. √ (2)
1.3.2 Kosher √
The others are concepts used in Hinduism.√ (2)
1.3.3 Sunday√
The others refer to the nature of divinity. √ (2)
1.3.4 Taoism√
The others have a concept of a Supreme Being. √OR
African Traditional Religion
The others all have sacred texts. (2)
1.3.5 Dhammapada√
The others are key concepts in Taoism.√ (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 F√ (1)
1.4.3 A√ (1)
1.4.4 D√ (1)
1.4.5 B√ (1)

1.5

1.5.1 False√
Syncretism is when two different belief systems combine to form a new one. √ OR
Hermeneutics is the science of interpretation of texts.√ (2)

1.5.2 False √
Reformation is a period of division in the Catholic Church mainly in the 16^th Century, which led to the formation of different Christian
denominations. √ OR Transformation is the changing from one level to another in a particular religion.√ (2)
1.5.3 False√
Jesus Christ was resurrected after he died. √ (2)
1.5.4 False√
A state of perfect happiness and peace in Buddhism is Nirvana. √
OR Dharma is the way of Higher Truths, teachings and the doctrine
of Buddhism.√ (2)
1.5.5 True√√ (2)

1.6

1.6.1

• It is the liberation of the soul from the endless cycle of reincarnation. √
• It is the final goal in Hindu belief.√ (2)

1.6.2 

• It is a herbal medicine used by diviners and herbalists √
• Impepho is burnt to call the ancestors to be with the livings. √ (2)

1.6.3

• These churches are a combination of Christian and African beliefs and practices. √
• They are an example of syncretism. √
• Examples are the Nazareth Baptist Church and Zionist church. √ (2)

1.6.4 

• It is a scientific attempt to understand the evolution of the universe. √
• It is that part of metaphysics that is concerned with the nature and structure of the universe. √ (2)

1.6.5

• It is a positive acceptance of more than one religion. √
• It teaches respect and tolerance of other religions. √ (2)
  TOTAL SECTION A: 50

SECTION B
Answer any TWO questions in this section.

QUESTION 2

2.1

• Uniqueness implies more than just differences in religions.
• It may refer to the single most important feature that sets one religion apart from another.
• It also makes it identifiable as a different religion to others. (4)

2.2

• It helps members to identify who belongs and who does not.
• When a person agrees to the unique elements of a religion, he/she is recognised as belonging to that religion and no other.
• It provides believers with reasons for why their religion is best.
• It helps members to explain why they have chosen that religion. (6)

2.3

• Religious identity is a form of self-identification with the beliefs and doctrine of the religion.
• A religion sets boundaries that separate one religion from all others. (2)

2.4

2.4.1 Eastern Religions

• They originate on the Indian sub-continent.
• They believe in reincarnation (samsara), although they have different perceptions of it.
• They have the teachings of moksha and karma.  (6)
  NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.

2.4.2 African Religion

• A belief in a supreme being. (There may be other local gods).
• Veneration of ancestors.
• A belief in the power of life – forces inherent in nature.
• A belief in ancestral spirits.
• Communication with the ancestors through the ritual of animal sacrifice.  
• The basic structure of African Religion is the clan.  (6)
  NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.

2.5

• They are monotheistic.
• They share many prophets – Abraham, Isaac, Moses, etc.
• They believe in the existence of angels.
• They place great emphasis on religious teaching.
• They regard their sacred scripture as divinely inspired, and give it canonical status.
• They believe in the Judgement Day.
• They believe in an eternal afterlife. (8)

2.6

2.6.1

• Karma means every action has consequences.
• Positive actions bring good results, while negative actions produce bad results.These results are carried into the next life.
• The corollary of the karma theory is the law of reincarnation. (6)

2.6.2

• The inyanga is the traditional healer in ATR.
• Inyangas treat people with herbal medicine.
• The inyanga may also be a mediator between the ancestors and the living. (6)

2.6.3

• It is a religious ceremony by which a person is made a member of the Christian community.
• Water is used in baptism as a sign of purification.
• Baptism is a sign of receiving a new life in Christianity.
• It is a sign of the new covenant between Jesus and the Church. (6)
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. [50]

QUESTION 3

3.1

• In apartheid South Africa, Christianity was the state religion, while other religions were marginalised.
• South Africa adopted a democratic Constitution in 1994, which guarantees the protection of human rights.
• Under our human rights based constitution, all religions and cultures have equal recognition.
• South African legislation now recognises customary marriages, traditional medicine, etc.
• It prohibits unfair discrimination based on religion, against anyone.
• The Human Rights Commission is empowered to investigate cases of discrimination, including religious discrimination.
• The Constitutional Court has been appointed to test all laws to make sure they have been written in line with the Constitution. (12)
  NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.

3.2 EASTERN CULTURE

• Eastern cultures believe that the Universal Declaration is based on the Western concept of religion and ideas of religious freedom.
• It is culturally too narrow.
• For Hindus, for example, religious freedom means not to be forced to have only one religion.
• Many people in the East simultaneously subscribe to more than one religion.
• This flexibility is seen as religious freedom.
• They believe it is a bad thing to impose the Western view of religious freedom, as it could lead to less religious freedom in the world, not more.
• Religious freedom also means that nobody is forced to change his or her religion.
  
  WESTERN CULTURE
• Society would only be peaceful if people and their leaders adopted the principle of religious tolerance.
• Tolerance means allowing people to convert, and to hold different worldmviews.
• Secular world views are also recognised.
• Persons should be free to believe what they want to, and to express their views openly without having to worry about being persecuted.
• In the 16^th century, Europe experienced serious religious conflict with no winner. The West therefore supports the idea of religious tolerance and freedom of choice.
• With the influx of mainly Muslim refugees into Europe, religious tolerance is changing to mean that a person should keep his/her religious beliefs private. (8)

3.3

EXAMPLE 1:
SRI LANKA

• In Sri Lanka, the Constitution recognises Buddhism as the primary religion, but endorses the right of other religions to practise freely.
• Extremist Buddhists sometimes attack Christian property and government does not do much about it.
• The attacks are partly in response to Christian missionary activity.
• Buddhists accuse Christians of engaging in forced conversion or conversion through bribery.
• While the government continues officially to support freedom of religion, bills are being tabled in parliament that would ban conversion activity.
• Although there have been some arrests, most attacks go unpunished.

EXAMPLE 2:
MYANMAR (BURMA)

• The Rohingya are a Muslim minority and ethnic group living in Myanmar for over 500 years.
• In 2012, sectarian violence killed hundreds of Rohingya men and women, and left over 140 000 homeless as entire neighbourhoods were razed to the ground.
• According to Human Rights Watch, planned campaigns of ethnic cleansing were conducted.
• Since the culprits were local political and religious warlords, the government chose to ignore such crimes against humanity.
• The government of Myanmar has defended its armed forces as well as the Buddhist extremists.
• It claims that their actions against the ethnic minorities are in the best interest of the Burmese nation.
• In spite of international criticism and laws against religious hate speech, the government of Myanmar has turned a blind eye towards the plight of the Rohingya.
• The official word used for the Rohingya community is 'Bengali', hinting at the (false) belief that Rohingya are not ethnically Burmese and thus, deserve to die. (8)

3.4

EXAMPLE 1: CHRISTIANITY

• Thou shalt not kill.
• This refers to the sanctity of human life/right to life.
• Murder is seen as a cardinal sin.
• You shall love your neighbour as yourself (Mark 12:31)
• This teaching encourages Christians to ensure that they share basic needs, such as food, shelter and water.
• This means that through love we can embrace other religions as ours.
• Organisations such as the Salvation Army provide soup kitchens for the poor, thus addressing the needs of the poor.

EXAMPLE 2: AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION (ATR)

• A central theme in ATR is ubuntu.
• Ubuntu means putting the needs of others before your own.
• It implies treating all in the community with love and respect.
• The practice of Ilima (free labour) ensures that all in the community have their basic necessities.
• Ilima gives dignity to all people in the community.

EXAMPLE 3: HINDUISM

• All Hindus believe in religious freedom: they believe everyone has the right to follow, or not to follow, any religion they wish.
• Hinduism teaches that all religions are paths to the divine, and all are valid.
• Hindus feel that there should be complete freedom of religion to encourage people to struggle to find the truth.
• Generally, they do not try to convert other religions to Hinduism, though this has changed recently.
• Some believe they should encourage members of other religions to become Hindus. However, they must be guided by 'ahimsa', which means never doing any harm. (10)

NOTE:

• Other relevant teachings should be credited.
  
• The learner may be credited for the teaching as well as the elaboration.
  
• Where relevant teachings are listed, but not discussed, a maximum of SIX marks may be awarded.
  
• If only one teaching is mentioned and discussed, a maximum of SIX marks may be awarded.

3.5
ADVANTAGES

• There will be no compulsion in worship.
• A person has freedom to experiment with different religions.
• A person can abandon his/her religion if it no longer satisfies his/her spiritual needs.
• A person can influence, and be influenced by, interaction with various religions.
• A religion will have only genuine, devout followers, and not have hypocrites that do not believe in its teachings.
• Religions can become more tolerant, and accept that they will lose some followers, and gain others.
• People may adopt more than one religion.

DISADVANTAGES

• By switching religions, a person can become confused.
• It can lead to animosity from adherents of one's previous religion.
• It can lead to interreligious conflict, between the religion losing followers, and the one gaining followers.
• Where a person openly declares his /her intention to change religion, it can lead to increased coercion.
• A religion may lose its identity, owing to too much diversity.
  NOTE: A maximum of 8 marks may be awarded for either 'advantages' or 'disadvantages'.
  Other relevant teachings should be credited. (12)
  [50]

QUESTION 4

4.1

4.1.1

• There is an element of prejudicial treatment in that two main Christian holidays are declared as paid public holidays, while
  holidays of other religions are not.
• Holy days of other religions are not observed as public holidays. (4)

4.1.2

• The Christian population is more than 80% of the South African population. It is in line with the principles of democracy.
• These two main holidays are globally recognized and contribute to the economy of the country.
• Section 2(2) of the Public Holidays Act provides that 'any public holiday shall be exchangeable' for any other day. Employees from
  other religions must request paid leave for their holidays. (4)
  NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.

4.1.3 

• More working days will be lost, having a negative impact on the economy.
• The Christian majority (80%) will not be observing holy days of other religions. These days will be observed by a very small number of people. (4)

4.1.4

• It means that it is difficult to believe that these holidays cause religious division./The holidays do not cause religious divisions. (2)

4.2

4.2.1

• The prevailing attitude is to give negative publicity to religion.
• Media reporting on religious issues is superficial.
• Reporters mostly approach religious issues from a secular and political perspective.
• Reporters may be selective and publish only that which is controversial.
• Towards orthodox faiths the tone is mostly hostile, but towards minority religions it is favourable.
• The persons interviewed most often are those who question orthodox religions.
• Reporters may be biased and take sides. (6)

4.2.2 EXAMPLES:

• Reporters only report on Catholicism when there is suspicion ofsexual abuse.
• They never report on theological or spiritual matters.
• Cartoons of Prophet Mohammad were published although Muslim communities informed the media that Islam does not allow any
  images of the Prophet.
• More newspapers published the cartoons despite widespread protest.
• Minority religions: The Bahá'i faith is given positive and disproportionate coverage.
• Extremism exists in all religions and even in secular communities.
• However, religious extremism is not given equal coverage in all religions.
• Extremism in Islam gets the most coverage, but the extremists in
• Buddhism (Myanmar) or Hinduism are given little or no attention at all. (4)

4.3 

• Pressure groups, both within civil society and government, ensure that the media articles support specific interests.
• Journalists' reporting can simply mirror their own prejudices.
• Journalists often do not possess specialist knowledge of religions, and therefore often misinterpret information.
• Not every event or story has the same news value. Articles reporting that a midnight mass went as planned, has little news value.
• The media thrives on sensationalism.
• Negativity is thought to sell well, and so is crime. Thus, there is an incentive for media professionals to organise, or 'frame,' reports around these themes. (8)
  NOTE: Other relevant teachings should be credited.

4.4

• When we pre-judge people based on religious belief, we may act in ways that negatively affect individuals or groups of people.
• Often we do not even think about the stereotypes or prejudices we hold. These may unintentionally hurt or disadvantage people.
• We may think that we are simply behaving in ways that accurately reflect the realities we see around us, but we are actually discriminating and reinforcing inequality.
• Even if a stereotype is meant to be positive, the fact that not all persons in that group meet that standard often leads to a 'positive' stereotype disadvantaging specific individuals. (E.g. West Africans are rich.) (8)

4.5

• Improve journalists' professional skills and cultural sensitivity in order to avoid stereotypes.
• Increase media diversity, by instilling leadership within the media industry, and avoid anti-religious lobby groups.
• Support educational and religious media, which offer a global and balanced perspective.
• Social media can allow for greater freedom of speech.
• This can be used to challenge religious stereotyping. (10)
  [50]

QUESTION 5

5.1 It means he sees himself as a Christian reformer. (2)
5.2

• Religion plays a major /substantial/significant role in this conflict.
• The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is an extremist Christian terrorist group led by Joseph Kony.
• He wishes to enforce the Ten Commandments.
• This will amount to a state religion.
• However, some analysts say that the LRA is nothing but a personality cult.
• The Lord's Resistance Army attacks civilians and kidnaps children to serve in its force, thereby breaking the Ten Commandments.
• They want to establish their own state that will be based on their own interpretation of Christian beliefs.
• His aims are to make Acholi tribal culture dominant.
• Since the group is guilty of gross human rights violations, the International Criminal Court (ICC) is investigating.
• While religion plays a major role in the conflict, there are other contributing factors as well.
• For example, his political and tribal agendas show that he is using religion to achieve his goals.  (12)
  NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.

5.3

• Religious organisations must teach understanding, respect and tolerance of all religions.
• Religious organisations must focus on common values and goals, and accept religious differences.
• There should be multifaith prayers to target religious intolerance.
• The leadership in different religions must strengthen unity among themselves, irrespective of religious beliefs.
• Children and youth need to be educated, to root out religious intolerance or discrimination.
• There should be meetings of religious leaders together with government representatives to unite against religious intolerance.
• Religious organisations must work together with all sections of the community to promote unity in diversity. (10)

5.4

5.4.1

• It is a conflict between branches of the same religion.
• Example: Conflict between Roman Catholics and Protestants in Northern Ireland.  (4)
  NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.

5.4.2

• It is a conflict between two different religions.
• Example: Conflict between Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar.  (4)
  NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.

5.5

5.5.1 The South African Council of Churches (SACC) (2)
5.5.2 The South African Hindu Maha Sabha (2)
5.5.3 United Ulema Council of SA (UUCSA) /The Islamic Council of SA / Muslim Judicial Council (2)
5.5.4 The Jewish Board of Deputies (2)

5.6

YES

• Christianity and Islam expanded their membership in African countries.
• Both Christianity and Islam are missionary religions.
• The main task of the missionary religions is to convert people to their respective religions.
• The main cause of conflict is that potential converts have become fewer.
• The situation has reached saturation point.
• In addition, religion is often used as a political tool in Africa.
• Foreign religions are discriminating against people who believe in African Traditional Religion.
• Most of the governments in African countries are not secular.

NO

• Conflicts in Africa are predominantly political and/or tribal e.g. Uganda and Darfur
• Corrupt political leaders who want to hold on to power cause most of the conflicts.
• They use religion to garner support.
• Unfair distribution of resources is also a major cause of conflict in Africa e.g. Niger.
• The high rate of corruption in African states leads to political conflicts.  (10)
  NOTE: Other relevant answers must be credited.

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