RELIGION STUDIES P2
NOVEMBER 2021
MARKING GUIDELINES
GRADE 12
NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE

QUESTION 1

1.1 

• It is violence arising out of unequal gender roles and power relationships.
  It is rooted in gender inequality, the abuse of power and harmful norms.
• The overwhelming majority of victims are women, resulting from their perceived subordinate status in society.
• In some cases, men do become victims of GBV .
• It includes any act or threat, usually by males, that inflict physical, psychological or sexual harm.
  NOTE:Other relevant responses must be credited.
  (2)

1.2

• Psychological or emotional abuse: harassing, threatening to take children away from the victim, isolating him/her from family.
• Verbal abuse: calling the victim by derogatory names, humiliating him/her in the presence of others.
• Sexual abuse: forcing the victim into unwanted sexual acts.
• Spiritual abuse: belittling the victim’s spiritual beliefs, not allowing him/her to attend the place of worship of his/her choice.
• Cyber abuse: the victim is often shamed or blackmailed by the perpetrator.
• Financial abuse: denying the victim access or unreasonably limiting spending of family finances.
  NOTE: In all the above examples, the perpetrator and victim are from different genders.
  (12)

1.3 The following are among the major causes of GBV:

• Religious and cultural norms:
  granting men control over female behaviour.
• Associating with peers who condone violence.
  The perpetrator will see gender based violence as a way to resolve conflict .
• Witnessing marital violence and being abused as a child.
  In later life, the abuser will see the violence as normal.
• Poverty, low socio-economic status, lack of education and unemployment.
  The victim will have low self esteem, and not be in a position to exercise his/her rights.
• Patriarchal society
  This results in male control of wealth and decision-making in the family./ Rigid gender roles with inherent male domination.
• Substance abuse, such as drugs and alcohol.
  Levels of self control decrease, and violence increases within the family.
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited.
  Mark only the first three responses.
  (12)

1.4

• Impact on women’s health: physical and psychological health problems e.g. disability, anxiety, fear, suicide.
• Economic and social impact: rejection and social stigma, reduced ability to participate in social and economic activities.
• The impact on the woman’s family and dependants: divorce, broken family and jeopardised family's economic and emotional development.
• The impact on the perpetrators: facing arrest and imprisonment, increased tension in the home.
• The impact of GBV on wider society: burden on health and judicial systems.
• GBV can also result in mob justice, as the culprit is usually known by the victim’s family/ community.
• While the overwhelming majority of GBV victims are women, it is acknowledged that men too can be abused by women.
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited.
  Mark only the first three responses. (12)

1.5

EXAMPLE 1: ISLAM

• According to Islam women have the legal right to do business, and to inherit property.
• The woman's property belongs solely to the woman. The husband cannot use it without her permission.
• The Qur'an describes husbands and wives as 'garments' to one other: protecting, beautifying and comforting each other.
• Islam banned the practice of families inheriting women when the husband dies.
• According to Islam women are not supposed to be treated as having unequal status within marriage and society.
• The Qur'an calls upon men not to threaten women with divorce.
• Men are the maintainers/protectors of women (Qur'an 4.34).

EXAMPLE 2: HINDUISM

• The reverence for femininity exhibited in their faith reveals an inherent respect for women and thus a condemnation of GBV.
• Hindus believe that the mother is most important and truly divine.
• They worship God as Mother, thus each woman is considered a manifestation of the Divine Mother.
• Women should be given protection at every stage of life.
• Purity, self-control and devotion are values pertaining to men, as much as women.
• In the words of Swami Vivekananda, 'It is not possible for the bird to fly on only one wing.'
• The statement exemplifies the belief that man and woman are two wings of the same bird, and so a man is incomplete without a woman.
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (12)
  [50]

QUESTION 2

2.1

2.1.1

EXAMPLE 1: ISLAM

• According to the Qur'an, Allah created the universe in six phases.
• Allah provides the energy and everything that the universe needs for survival.
• According to Islam, the existence of the universe is not accidental.
• Life is not purposeless, but planned and purposeful.
• Each variety of plant and animal species in the world has important roles in the ecosystem.
• New forms of life are continuously being created and function according to established divine laws.
• The universe is not eternal but has a fixed timespan.

EXAMPLE 2: BUDDHISM

• Buddhists believe that the world was not created at any point in time.
• The world has been created millions of times every second and will continue to do so by itself.
• The world will break away by itself.
• According to Buddhism, the world system always appears and disappears in the universe.
• The universe, in which we live, has existed for an enormous period of time and possibly for endless time.
• The explanation of the origin of the world is not a concern in Buddhism.
• In the eyes of Buddha the world is nothing but Samsara – the cycle of repeated birth and death.
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited.
  (10)

2.2 

• Inspiration is an important normative source in many religions.
• It forms the basis of sacred text.
• It is the true origin of all religions.
• It affirms the canonical teachings of religions.
• Inspiration refers to the power or force of an extraordinary being taking over a chosen being.
• The founding figures of many religions were inspired by a higher power or wisdom.
• Such people felt that they received revelation from an extraordinary being.
• In African Traditional Religion the mediums or diviners receive inspiration while they are in a trance.
• Inspiration is a powerful motivation for the followers of a religion.
• There are several types of inspiration, namely:
  
  • Divine inspiration, which is direct and immediate and inspired the founders of religions.
  • Contemporary inspiration, which is ongoing and serves to unite worshippers with their Creator.
  • Mediums and diviners in the ATR communicate with the spiritual realm through inspiration.
    NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (12)

2.3

• Grammar and historical context
  This means that the writings must be understood within the context of the time and circumstances in which the text was written.
• Clearest meaning
  The meaning that is clearest to the reader should be considered.
• Meaning of words
  The meaning of words often changes over time and context.
• Plan, purpose and context
  The writing plan or structure of the whole document must be taken into account.
• Figurative language
  Figurative language used in sacred texts must not be interpreted literally.
• Other sacred texts
  Sacred texts may be used to interpret other sacred texts on the same topic because there is consistency among teachings of a religion and its sacred texts.
  NOTE: Credit any TWO of the above. (8)

2.4

2.4.1

NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited.
FOUR marks are allocated for naming TWO branches and
EIGHT marks for differences. Of these, a maximum of SIX marks may be awarded if only one branch is discussed.
(12)

2.4.2

 (8)

2.4.1

EXAMPLE 2: BUDDHISM

(12)
2.4.2

(8)
[50]

QUESTION 3

3.1.1

• The scientific theory of creation of the universe is called the Big Bang theory.
• What existed before the Big Bang theory is not known.
• There was a big explosion in space and within seconds the universe had appeared and expanded to an enormous size.
• It happened about 13.7/ 15 billion years ago.
• Small temperature differences in the initial explosion led to varying densities throughout the universe.
• These eventually formed into clusters of matter and energy.
• They formed vast collections of stars that we call galaxies.
• Some galaxies condensed into a combination of stars and planets called solar systems.
• Our earth belongs to one of the solar systems. (12)

3.1.2

EXAMPLE 1: TAOISM

• In Taoism, the world and everything in it comes into being automatically as part of the activity of the Tao.
• It is not planned, but it is not unplanned.
• The Tao did not intend the world to exist, nor did it not want the world to exist.
• The world simply emerged as a tiny speck in the enormous 'bowl' of creation as the Tao continued on its path.
• According to Taoism the world consists of processes of creation and destruction.
• The Taoist view of the universe is based very much on their observation of the natural and human world.

EXAMPLE 2: HINDUISM

• To Hindus, the universe itself is the Creator.
• The Creator exists in either an active or passive state.
• The passive state is a state of rest, when nothing happens.
• After a very long time the Creator becomes active again.
• This is when part of the universe becomes different from other parts, and creation begins.
• Hindus often show creation as dance.
• The changing universe is the dancing of the .Creator. (12)

3.2

3.2.1

BUDDHISM

• Buddhism does not have any account of creation.
• Therefore, Buddhists do not mind what scientists say about how the universe and how people came into being.
• Buddhism also believes that all life involves constant transformation and evolution.
• They believed in evolution long before Western scientists did.
• They believe in the continuity of all living beings.
• This explains why Buddhism has no problem with the idea that human beings may have evolved from more primitive, primate
  forms.
• This is in line with other Eastern religions. (8)

3.2.2

CHRISTIANITY

• Conservative Christians interpret the Bible quite literally.
• They reject the idea that humans might have evolved from ape-like forms.
• They believe that God created Adam and Eve as the first people on earth.
• They further believe that man was created in God's image.
• Darwin’s theory, then, is seen as an affront to the Biblical account of Creation.
• Some Christians believe that the Bible should be interpreted symbolically and not literally.
• These people believe that there is no conflict between science and religion.
• Christianity’s response is like that of the other two Abrahamic faiths: the conservatives reject Darwin’s theory, while liberals
  merge it into a more flexible interpretation of sacred text. (10)

3.2.3

HINDUISM

• Hindus have no problem with evolution because they believe that the universe is based on evolution.
• Hindus believe that they have a more advanced theory of evolution than the scientific theory.
• Hinduism provides a more comprehensive view of evolution, because it is not limited to physical but includes spiritual evolution.
• Hindus believe that you have control over both your spiritual and physical evolution.
• According to Hinduism, if one lives a good life, one will gradually evolve through many rebirths until one is spiritually
  advanced.
• Retrogression of the soul is also possible.
• While Hinduism has no issues with Darwin’s theory, its main focus is on spiritual evolution/ retrogression. (8)
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited.
  [50]

QUESTION 4

4.1

EXAMPLE 1:

AGNOSTICISM

• Agnosticism comes from Greek, 'a' meaning 'without' and 'gnosis' meaning 'knowledge'.
• This refers to uncertainty about knowledge of God.
• The term was first used by a philosopher called TH Huxley in 1869.
• Darwin's theory of human evolution challenged the idea of a supreme Creator, and provided an alternative world view for agnostics.
• Agnostics believe that it is not possible to either prove or disprove the existence of God or a supernatural being.
• Agnostics are sceptical about religious teachings.
• They reject religious doctrine; especially religion that claims to have knowledge of the divine.

EXAMPLE 2:

ATHEISM

• Atheists reject the belief that divine or supernatural powers exist.
• There are different degrees of atheism.
• Soft or neutral atheists do not actively reject the existence of a supernatural being.
• Strong or positive atheists believe there is evidence to support their atheistic views.
• In some cases soft atheists reject both theism and strong atheism.
• This is because they feel both world views depend on proof to support their claims.
• Atheists often turn to science to explain the nature of the universe, rather than relying on faith. (12)

4.2 ADVANTAGES

• A secular worldview leads to the separation of religion and state.
• Development of democratic government.
• Secular laws become the highest laws in the world.
• Most religious people adapted to the secular view by accepting the separation of religion and the state.
• It promotes freedom of conscience and belief.
• It provides a framework of principles and ethical guidelines for life.
• Society has freedom to question the authority of religious teachings.
• Secular views led to the development of science and technology in society.
• It promotes freedom of speech where society can debate and question some of the traditional beliefs.
• Secular views led to the development of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
• It prevents the domination of one religion over others.

DISADVANTAGES

• It undermines the role of religion.
• It provides an alternative set of norms and values.
• The conflicting values create confusion in society.
• Institutions such as marriage and family life are seen as less important, since they were traditionally based on religious teachings.
  NOTE: A maximum of TWELVE marks may be awarded if only 'advantages' or only 'disadvantages' are discussed.
  Other relevant responses must be credited. (16)

4.3.1

EXAMPLE 1: TAOISM

• Taoists have a very sophisticated idea about the nature of what we might call 'divinity'.
• Taoism teaches that it is impossible to describe divinity completely.
• 'Tao' means 'path'. It first meant path as in a 'path in a field'. Then it came to mean the 'path travelled by the stars', and finally, the 'path of the universe'.
• The divine is great, and creation happens in it.
• All things come from being, and being comes from non-being.
• Taoism teaches that non-being is the ultimate or the starting point of everything – it is bigger, in a sense, than being.
• The divine is huge and spacious. Creation happens in it and pours forth from it.
• Everything consists of two forces; yin and yang.

EXAMPLE 2: CHRISTIANITY

• Christians believe in the existence of a supreme and divine being known as God.
• God is eternal, which means that God does not have a beginning or an end.
• God himself was not created, as He is the source of all life.
• God manifests Himself as three persons. This doctrine is called 'Holy Trinity'.
• God the Father is the creator and controller of everything in the universe.
• God the Son is the Liberator/ Saviour of all humanity.
• God the Holy Spirit is counsellor of Christians and advocate fortheir cause.  (10)
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited.

4.3.2

EXAMPLE 1: TAOISM

• The Taoist point of view on death is that we should appreciate life in order to accept death.
• When one realises that what makes life wonderful is its cyclical processes, it becomes easier to accept that life.
• In this religion, death is simply a process of transformation in which one goes from one form to another.
• It means that one has been part of the universe from the start and will continue to be a joy and sadness.
• In the Taoist view, one should not be afraid of death, one should make fun of it.
• In this religion, one does not need life after death in some kind of heaven or the kind of life after death that is found in Hinduism.
• One only gets transformed and ends up elsewhere.

EXAMPLE 2: CHRISTIANITY

• According to Christianity, life does not cease with death, but continues beyond the grave.
• Those who die enter a new phase called paradise.
• Sinners go to hell where they are punished.
• On the Last Day, the ordinary world will no longer exist. The rule of God will prevail.
• Only those who will have lived according to the will of God will live eternal life.
• Death is not the end of life but a phase in the journey of human kind.
• Resurrection gives meaning to life. There is a Day of Resurrection during which the good and the evil will be dealt
  with according to their actions in this world.  (12)
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited.
  [50]

QUESTION 5

5.1

• South Africa adopted a new constitution, which contains the Bill of Rights.
• The Bill of Rights states that everyone has the right to freedom of religion, belief and opinion.
• Everyone is protected by the Constitution to practise his/her beliefs.
• Section 9, the equality clause, prohibits unfair discrimination on various grounds including religion.
• The Human Rights Commission investigates cases of unfair discrimination, including religious discrimination.
• The school curriculum teaches understanding and tolerance of all religions.
• This is done through subjects such as Life Orientation and Religion Studies.
• The national broadcaster, the SABC, provides religious coverage for all religions.
• In the opening of Parliament various political and religious leaders commit themselves to the Greater Deity.
• Public holiday celebrations are addressed by religious leaders of different faiths. (10)

5.2

• The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa focuses on Christian-Muslim relations.
• The African Council of Religious Leaders focuses on bringing together all religious leaders and their communities, in a common commitment tom peace. (4)

5.3 

• Bringing together religious communities, civil society, private sector and government.
• Commissioning meeting of religious leaders who take the IFAPA decisions.
• Organising subregional summits.
• Establishing and registering national chapters.
• Sending interfaith delegations to conflict risk areas.
• Participating in the legislative election in Togo.
• Organising exchange visits between landmine victims and survivors from Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda.
• Participating in the World Social Forum held in Kenya (2007).
• Sending a women's delegation to Nordic countries.
• Forming IFAPA Women Network.
• Organising the Nakanyoni Youth Peace Camp.
• Holding the first continental interfaith youth consultation.
• Establishing regional Youth Network. (14)

5.4

• The first Parliament of the World's Religions was held in 1893 in Chicago in the United State of America.
• The main aim was to create a global dialogue of faiths.
• In 1993, the Parliament was again held in Chicago.
• The aim was to further bring religions together.
• In the meeting the declaration was created titled: 'Towards a Global ethic'.
• The 1999 Parliament was held in Cape Town.
• The aim was to focus on how to deal with HIV/Aids.
• In 2004, the Parliament was in Barcelona, Spain.
• The main focal points were how to address issues like violence, safe water and refugees.
• The 2007 Parliament discussed how poverty could be eradicated.
• In 2009, the Parliament met in Melbourne, Australia.
• The Parliament dealt with Aboriginal reconciliation, sustainability and global climate change as understood by indigenous religions. (10)

5.5

• The Parliament of World Religions is effective because leaders of different religions are now able to speak in one voice against religious violence in the world.
• In 1999 they were able to organise an interfaith coalition to address the illegal gun trade in the slums of Brazil, which resulted in a strong law, halting illegal gun sales.
• In Barcelona, the Parliament of World Religions was attended by 8 000 people from many different religious and spiritual traditions.
• This diversity and inclusivity demonstrates the harmonious relationship between religions.
• It has branches all over the world which are actively involved in solving religious and civil wars in those countries.
• The council for the Parliament of the World Religions has established a network of interreligious movements in partner cities around the world.
• They have a partnership with other sectors of society such as UNESCO in the United Nations.
• However, the parliament lacks statutory power. (It cannot promulgate or enforce legislation.)
• It therefore relies on cooperation with the state, in order to be effective.
• The effectiveness of the parliament is proportionate to religiosity (interest in religion).
• As religiosity declines across the world, so too does the effectiveness of the parliament. (12)
  [50]
  TOTAL: 150