RELIGIOUS STUDIES
PAPER 1
GRADE 12 
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
NOVEMBER 2016

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION 

1. This question paper consists of SECTION A and SECTION B.
2. SECTION A: COMPULSORY
   SECTION B: Answer any TWO questions from this section.
3. Read ALL the questions carefully.
4. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this  question paper.
5. Write neatly and legibly.

QUESTIONS

SECTION A (COMPULSORY) 
QUESTION 1  
1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions.  Write down the question number (1.1.1–1.1.10), choose the answer and make  a cross (X) over the letter (A–D) of your choice in the ANSWER BOOK. 
EXAMPLE: 
1.1.11 

1.1.1 The religious group which believes the Torah was written by human beings over time: 

1. Orthodox Judaism
2. Conservative Judaism 
3. Reform Judaism 
4. Chassidic/Hassidic Judaism 

1.1.2 'All religions worship and believe in the same God.' This is the central message of ... 

1. African Traditional Religion
2. the New Age movement. 
3. Christianity. 
4. the Baha'i faith. 

1.1.3 A gentile is ... 

1. a person who is gentle by nature. 
2. a Jew. 
3. any person who is NOT a Jew. 
4. a Christian. 

1.1.4 This religion rejects the idea that humans have souls that live on after death: 

1. Hinduism 
2. Baha'i faith 
3. Buddhism 
4. Taoism 

1.1.5 The holy book of Taoism: 

1. Yin and yang 
2. Mahabharata
3. Tao Te Ching
4. Tao yin

1.1.6 Characteristics that show interesting similarities and differences: 

1. Unity 
2. Comparability 
3.  Ideology
4. Identity 

1.1.7 This type of statement indicates which things are good or bad and  which actions are right or wrong: 

1. Descriptive statement 
2. Normative statement 
3. Authenticity statement 
4. Complementary statement 

1.1.8 The idea that all forms of life are connected and have a common  origin refers to elements of ... 

1. creation. 
2. secularism. 
3. evolution. 
4. religion. 

1.1.9 Both insist on the transcendence of God and take very seriously the  commandment against having images of God: 

1. Hinduism and Islam 
2. African Traditional Religion and Christianity
3. Hinduism and Buddhism
4. Judaism and Islam 

1.1.10 Someone who gains insight into the unknown or future by  supernatural means: 

1. Ancestor 
2. KhoiKhoi 
3. Diviner 
4. The yet-to-be-born (10 x 1) (10)

1.2 Complete the following sentences by filling in the missing word(s). Write only  the word(s) next to the question number (1.2.1–1.2.5) in the ANSWER BOOK. 

1.2.1 The science of interpreting religious texts is called ... 
1.2.2 The goal of the Eightfold Path is to attain ... 
1.2.3 In Hindu society the lowest caste is known as the 'untouchables' or ... 
1.2.4 Conducting life independently of a religious institution and symbols is  called ... 
1.2.5 The founder of Taoism was ... (5 x 2) (10) 

1.3 Choose a description from COLUMN B that matches the term in COLUMN A.  Write only the letter (A–G) next to the question number (1.3.1–1.3.6) in the  ANSWER BOOK. 

1.4 Define the following terms: 

1.4.1 Canon  
1.4.2 Conservative 
1.4.3 Fundamentalism 
1.4.4 Nation state  
1.4.5 Non-theistic (5 x 2) (10) 

1.5 Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. Give a reason  if the statement is FALSE. Write TRUE or FALSE and the reason next to the  question number (1.5.1–1.5.5) in the ANSWER BOOK.  

1.5.1 Some Africans broke away from Christianity because Europeans  introduced the tithe and offerings. 
1.5.2 According to Taoist belief the universe is maintained by God in  creation. 
1.5.3 The head of Tibetan Buddhism is the Zen teacher. 
1.5.4 The New Testament is the sacred text of Judaism. 
1.5.5 All Hindu sects share common beliefs, traditions, rituals and  personal deities. (5 x 2) (10)

1.6 Write TWO facts about EACH of the following: 

1.6.1 The relationship between the Supreme Being and the ancestors in  African Traditional Religion (2) 
1.6.2 The importance of meditation in Buddhism (2)

TOTAL SECTION A: 50 

SECTION B 
Answer any TWO questions in this section. 
QUESTION 2 
2.1 Write ONE fact on EACH of the following terms and give ONE example to  illustrate its meaning: 

2.1.1 Identity (4)
2.1.2 Syncretism (4)

2.2 State any THREE unique features of EACH of the following religions:

2.2.1 Judaism (6)
2.2.2 Buddhism (6)
2.2.3 African Traditional Religion (6) 

2.3 Explain the term reincarnation in the context of the statement above. (4) 
2.4 The Constitution of South Africa has a Bill of Rights which includes freedom of  belief and religion. 
What is religious freedom? (2)
2.5 Differentiate between a doctrine and dogma. (4) 

2.6 Name ONE interreligious organisation that works for peace in conflict areas of  Africa. Describe the work done and give reasons for its successes or failures. (14)

[50]

QUESTION 3 
3.1 Read the article below and answer the questions that follow. 

3.1.1 Briefly explain what the heading of this article means. (2) 
3.1.2 According to the article, what are the reasons for the change in the  time slot of the drama series? (8) 
3.1.3 What influence do you think the TV programme Lucifer could have  on public opinion? (14) 
3.1.4 According to the article, the viewers have called for the removal of  the entire series from the channel. Discuss how this will violate the  rights of other viewers. (12) 3.2 The media in general is biased in their coverage of religious issues. Elaborate on this statement. Use suitable examples to support your answer. (14)

[50] 

QUESTION 4 
4.1 Explain EACH of the following terms and give ONE example to illustrate its  meaning: 

4.1.1 Inspiration (4)
4.1.2 Parable  (4)
4.1.3  Ritual  (4)

 4.2 Religious communities in South Africa have been able to maintain good relations with one another and no conflict is prevalent. Discuss the reasons for this peaceful coexistence. (10)
4.3 Read the statement below and answer the questions that follow. 

4.3.1 Give any ONE example of recent armed conflict in Africa. (2)
4.3.2 Outline the history of the conflict in QUESTION 4.3.1. (10) 
4.3.3 Critically analyse the role of religion in the conflict in  QUESTION 4.3.1. (16)

[50] 

QUESTION 5 
Read the newspaper article below and answer the questions that follow.

5.1 Give reasons why the commission has launched this investigation. (10)
5.2 Why does the heading of this article use the plural 'evils' instead of 'evil'? (4)
5.3 Explain to what extent you think religion should be regulated by the state. (8)
5.4 Why, do you think, are there objections to the Commission? (6)
5.5 Discuss any FOUR ways in which religions can regulate themselves. (8) 
5.6 The article refers to the abuse of people's belief systems. How can belief  systems be abused? (6) 
5.7 Do you think that a secular state has greater respect for human rights than a  religious state? Give reasons for your answer. (8)

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