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

MEMORANDUM

SECTION A (COMPULSORY) 
QUESTION 1  
NOTE: Credit the candidate if the correct answer is written instead of the letter. 
1.1.

1.1.1 C√ 
1.1.2 D√ 
1.1.3 C√ 
1.1.4 C or D√ 
1.1.5 C√ 
1.1.6 B√ 
1.1.7 B√ 
1.1.8 C√ 
1.1.9 D√ 
1.1.10 C√ (10 x 1) (10) 

1.2 

1.2.1 hermeneutics√√ 
1.2.2 Nirvana/enlightenment/knowledge√√ 
1.2.3 Harijans/Children of God/Sudras√√ 
1.2.4 Secularism. Atheism, communism 
1.2.5 Lao-tzu√√ 
NOTE: Accept the candidate's answer if it is clearly recognisable despite  being spelt incorrectly. (5 x 2) (10) 

1.3 NOTE: Credit the candidate if the correct answer is written  instead of the letter. 

1.3.1  E√ 
1.3.2 G√ 
1.3.3 B√ 
1.3.4 A√ 
1.3.5 C√ 
1.3.6 D√ (6 x 1) (6) 

1.4

1.4.1 Books recognised as authoritative√ and sometimes as divinely  revealed√ 

1.4.2 Holding on to traditional, conventional values, √ against change√ 
1.4.3 Strict adherence to conservative√ and traditional religious beliefs√,  and rejecting other views√ 
1.4.4 An independent group of cities and villages united by culture, √ religion and government√ 
1.4.5 An approach that does not reject God's existence, √ but simply  ignores it√ (5 x 2) (10)
NOTE: Other valid responses must be credited.

1.5

1.5.1 False √ 
They did not accept their African traditional practices and thought  they were primitive.√ 
1.5.2 False√ 
According to Taoists everything in creation consists of two kinds of  forces – the Yin and Yang.√ 
1.5.3 False√ 
The head of Tibetan Buddhism is the Dalai Lama.√ 
1.5.4 False√ 
The Old and New Testaments are sacred texts of Christianity/ The  Old Testament/Torah is the sacred book of Judaism.√ 
1.5.5 True√√ (5 x 2) (10)

1.6

1.6.1

• • The ancestors play an intermediary role between God and the  living. √
  • They are in spirit form and are found everywhere. √ (2) 

1.6.2

• • Meditation establishes control over the mind. √
  • This is necessary to reach a level of 'non-attachment'. √ 
  • Buddhists engage in the meditation process in order to  overcome evil. √
  • Knowledge according to Buddhism can be attained through  meditation. √
    NOTE: Accept any TWO relevant points. (2)

TOTAL SECTION A: 50 

SECTION B: NOTE: If the candidate has answered more than two questions in  this section, only the first two must be marked. The extra  responses must be struck off, and 'EQ' written across them. 
QUESTION 2 
2.1

2.1.1

• Identity refers to characteristics that give people a sense of  belonging. 
• Identity also creates a certain personality that distinguishes it  from other religions. 

Examples:  

• Religions create identity through dress, symbols and common  practices. 
• All Christian churches have a Cross as an identity. (4) 

2.1.2

• This refers to two different belief systems that are combined to  form a new one.  

Examples:  

• Sikhism, African Indigenous Churches, African Initiated  Churches (4) 

2.2

2.2.1

• Jews believe that they have a covenant with God.
• God is almost a father-like figure who is both their Creator and  Protector. 
• God is so holy that it is forbidden even to speak His name. 
• They believe that God revealed Himself through His Law. 
• They lay more emphasis on the correct way of life, rather than  faith or belief. (6) 

2.2.2

• Impermanence lies at the very heart of all Buddhist philosophy.
• It implies that even the gods/enlightened beings in Buddhism  are not immortal. 
• The Eightfold Path is prescribed as a way of ending suffering. 
• Human suffering is caused by unfulfilled human desire. (6) 

2.2.3

• Belief in the ancestors and their on-going role in the lives of  people is built on their revelation to the living. 
• There is no founder. 
• There is no sacred text. 
• It is a religion based on oral tradition. 
• Teachings and morals are passed down the generations  through the spoken word. (6)

2.3

• Living beings are reborn after death. 
• Some are reborn into higher forms of life that can take them closer to  becoming one with the divine. 
• This is the ultimate evolution and is called moksha. 
• Others are reborn into lower forms of life. Those who are 'lower down' have a more limited view of ultimate reality. This is a form of regression. (4) 

2.4

• Religious freedom implies the freedom that is bestowed upon individual  members of the society to practise their religions without fear. 
• It teaches respect for and tolerance of other religions.  
• No religion is superior to any other, hence all religions enjoy equal status. (2) 

2.5

• Doctrine is a set of beliefs or principles. 
• Dogma is a belief that believers must accept without any doubts. (4) 

2.6 EXAMPLE 1:  

• Interfaith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) 
• This organisation works in collaboration with religious communities in the  continent, which is one of the main reasons for its successes.  
• IFAPA does not work in isolation. It works closely with other religious  organisations. 
• IFAPA has made a successful effort to be as inclusive of different religions  as possible, e.g. it includes The African Traditional Religion, Judaism,  Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and the Baha'i Faith. 
• This organisation has succeeded in sending delegations to the areas of  conflict. The members of their delegation have been instrumental in  bringing conflicting groups together in reaching understanding and  cooperation with one another. 
• However, in spite of all the efforts, this organisation has not been able to  achieve permanent or lasting peace among conflicting groups.  
• The reason for that is political interference. 
• Their successes have also been hindered by the cultural and tribal groups  which would use religion in pursuit of their goals. 
• This organisation has also been successful in bringing together civil  society, private sector and governments, which is one of the reasons for its  achievements.  

EXAMPLE 2:  

• African Council of Religious Leaders – Religions for Peace 
• This organisation has succeeded because of its principles and values of  respect and tolerance for religious differences. 
• It has also succeeded because it has always made an effort to encourage  peaceful co-existence among a variety of religions. 
• Their actions have also been based on deeply held and mainly shared  issues and values of moral concern.
• Another reason for their success was the promotion and preservation of  identity for each religious community. 
• The recognition of religiously diverse communities in Africa has also led to  its success. 
• They also support locally led multireligious structures under the umbrella of  Religions for Peace. 
• They uphold the principles of representation, subsidiarity and sodality. 
• They participated in the World Social Forum. 
• Whilst there has been successes in this organisation, some failures have  been noted: 
• E.g. the maintenance of permanent peace among conflicting groups in  Africa. 
• Peace-keeping has always been interrupted by political and cultural  differences. 
• There is a lack of recognition of the organisation by some governments,  such as that of Chad and the Central African Republic.
  NOTE: A minimum of four and a maximum of six marks can be allocated for  the evaluation of work done by the organisation. (14)

[50] 

QUESTION 3 
3.1.1

• The heading means that the Christian community wants the programme to  be moved from the early hours of the evening to late at night. 
• It also expresses the view that the devil belongs to darkness. (2) 

3.1.2

• The Christian viewers have forwarded a complaint. 
• The drama series focuses on Lucifer, who is regarded mainly as the  source of evil. 
• This drama series is perceived by other viewers as the promotion of  Satanism. 
• At 19:00, there is a risk that children might view the programme, and be  negatively affected by it. Hence the need to change the time slot. (8) 

3.1.3 

• The public might be led to think of the devil as an ordinary human being. 
• The younger generation may think that Satanism is just one of the  accepted religions that could play a positive role in society. 
• This programme may lead to the promotion of satanic activities. 
• Conflict between the Christian community and other faith groups may  occur. /The action of the Christian group may receive objections from other  religious groups who do not believe in the existence of the devil. 
• These communities may raise issues of human rights and freedom of choice.  
• The TV programme glorifies evil. 
• It can make people aware of how one can be misled by evil. (14)

3.1.4

• Everyone has the right to freedom of conscience, religion, thought, belief  and opinion. 
• The non-Christian community will be deprived of their right to freedom of  conscience, belief and opinion. 
• They are violating their freedom of choice and interest. 
• They are depriving viewers of the sheer entertainment value of the series. 
• Everyone has the right to freedom of expression, which includes freedom  of the press and other media. 
• The Christian community is violating the freedom of the press and other  media to suit the needs of the Christian community alone. 
• They are also violating the freedom of artistic creativity of the creators of  the series. (12) 

3.2

• The media creates sensation around religion. 
• E.g. paedophilia in the Catholic Church, hijab in Islam, etc. 
• They focus on exceptions rather than the rule. 
• They give exposure to minority religious issues, and dismiss mainstream  religion. 
• E.g. gay rights, abortion, etc.  
• Media are selective about religious coverage.  
• E.g. much coverage is given to Pope's visit, but little is said about Dalai  Lama's visit to USA. 
• Any violent act committed by a Muslim is always linked to Islam, while  such acts committed by non-Muslims mentions no religion. 
• Social media is less biased, as it is regulated to a lesser extent than  mainstream media. 
• E.g. in Facebook, Twitter and other social media require subscribers to  identify themselves before posting. Hate speech is removed. (14)

[50] 

QUESTION 4 
4.1

4.1.1

• Refers to the breath (power/knowledge) of an extraordinary  being or power. 
• For example, a deity taking over a person and inspiring him or  her with divine knowledge. 
• Most religions have founding figures who were inspired by a  higher power or wisdom.  

Examples: 

• Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Prophet Muhammad and  Baha'u'llah. 
• Mediums and diviners specialise in communication with  ancestors and spirits in general. (4)

4.1.2

• The word 'parable' refers to a story that is told to illustrate a  religious principle or answer a religious question. 
• Parables are set within the cultural and social environments of  the people who produce and use them. 

Example: 

• In the New Testament, it refers to a story designed to teach a  spiritual truth (e.g. the parable of the sower). (4) 

4.1.3 

• A religious observance intended to remind followers of a sacred  occasion. 
• An observance to invite a sacred presence. 

Examples: 

• Baptism (in Christianity), circumcision (in ATR), Navaratri (in  Hinduism). Burial rites in any religion.
  NOTE: Other relevant examples must be accepted. (4) 

4.2

• During the apartheid era, religions were able to unite against discrimination  and other atrocities. 
• Because of the struggle against apartheid and the important role played by  religious communities, unity has been fostered. 
• A strong interfaith movement has been established. 
• The good relationship between religions and the South African government has also been instrumental in avoiding conflict among religions. 
• South Africa has included religious freedom in her Constitution. 
• All religions, including minority religions, are free to practise their beliefs  without fear of reprisal. 
• The Constitution does not allow discrimination on the basis of creed,  culture and race. 
• All religions enjoy the same treatment and same status. 
• Religious holidays are observed freely by different religious groups. 
• E.g. Diwali, Eid, Yom Kippur, Easter, Christmas, etc. 
• Any hate speech is dealt with by the justice system.
  NOTE: Other relevant points should be credited (10)

4.3

4.3.1 EXAMPLE 1: Central African Republic (2) 
4.3.2

• The conflict began approximately in 2003, when president  Bozize seized power in the country. 
• A number of rebel groups fought against the government in  what is called the CAR Bush War (2003–2007). 
• These groups were called the Seleka (union). 
• Peace talks between the rebels and government broke down in  2012. 
• The rebels accused Bozize of reneging on amnesty promises. 
• The Seleka captured a number of key towns in 2012. 
• They seized Bangui, the capital in 2013.  
• The President fled the country in 2014. 
• Civil unrest flared up, in the absence of any effective  government. 
• The anti-Balaka massacred thousands of Muslims. (10) 

4.3.3 

• In the Central African Republic religions were used to be part of  the conflict 
• Islam and Christianity. 
• The two religions' conflict is based on ethnic cleansing. 
• The government and the army seem to be playing a minimal  role. 
• Christians are targeting both Muslims and foreigners and are  forcing them to flee the country. 
• Criminal elements are taking advantage of the conflict. 
• There is widespread looting of properties. 
• The collapse of the government also contributed to the conflict. It was therefore not only a religious conflict. (16)
  OR 

4.3.1 EXAMPLE 2: Darfur/Sudan (2) 

4.3.2

• Fault lines in Darfur society can be traced back well over 100  years. 
• Two main divisions in this country were ethnic and cultural. 
• Religion does not seem to be a main source of conflict although it is always perceived. 
• Two broad groupings can be found in Darfur; namely Arab tribes  called 'Baggara' and many African tribes.  
• The Africans are sub-divided into many groups of tribes. 
• E.g. the African groups include the Fur, the Masalit and the  Zaghawa. 
• Another set of divisions relates to issues of culture. 
• Most people in the area are Sunni Muslims. 
• There are also Christians. 
• For many centuries, nomads and farmers made an effort to  coexist. 
• Darfur was the centre of the slave trade in North East Africa. (10)

4.3.3 EXAMPLE: Sudan 

• The main role that religions have played has been to make an  effort to provide help.  
• Religious aid organisations are vital in providing practical  support in the conflict areas. 
• For example, there are religious organisations such as the  Islamic Relief Agency and the Catholic Agency for Overseas  Development. 
• Among the support activities they engage in, we note the  following:  
  • The supply of building materials and medical assistance. 
  • They also build and repair clinics and schools.
  • Religious aid organisations also provide food.
  • They train local communities on life skills, which assist the  people to cope with challenges that come with violent  conflict.
• While religious organisations may be against conflicts, they are  not able to stop them. (16)
  NOTE: Other relevant facts must be credited.

[50]

QUESTION 5 

5.1 

• There have been complaints of unethical behaviour from community  members. 
• Dangerous/Suspicious church activities were reported in the media. 
• It is the State's responsibility to protect every citizen. 
• The commission wishes to educate churches on the importance of the  State's responsibility. 
• They want to investigate the financial affairs of religious organisations. 
•  Churches must be made aware that they are not above the law. 
• They wish to make churches open and transparent in their activities. (10) 

5.2 It is because deliverance must be from: 

• A gullible public 
• corrupt religious leaders  
• a government that seeks to limit the powers of religious organisations. (Any two) (4) 

5.3 

• According to the Constitution the government has an obligation to protect  its citizens. 
• This includes members of religious organisations. 
• Governments should intervene only if the law is being broken. 
• E.g. any form of discrimination, restricting freedom of association, etc. 
• However, religious organisations believe they have been inspired by God.  Therefore, they don't need to be regulated by people. 
• Members will be aware of their rights and be able to resist the abuse. 
• Over-regulation can lead to resistance against the State. (8)

5.4 

• Members of the church think that the government has no right to decide  their choice of faith. 
• Religious leaders are afraid that they might lose members. 
• They are afraid that they will lose respect from members. 
• Pastors believe that they are a Godsend and that they are doing God's  work according to their calling. (6) 

5.5 

• Religious leaders are well versed (qualified) in the teachings that govern  the conduct of the organisation. 
• Any religious leader who defies the church, is excommunicated/  sanctioned. 
• Every religion engages in vigorous debate regarding interpretation of rules  of conduct. 
• They believe in a Supreme Being who is all-seeing, and they will not  commit evil. 
• Every church has its own constitution that governs and regulates them. (8) 

5.6 

• People are not allowed to voice their own religious views. (Heresy) 
•  People are not allowed to know about other religions. 
• People are forced to do things against their will.  
• They are not allowed to question their faith or leaders.  
• People's beliefs are exploited for financial gain. (6) 
  NOTE: Other relevant points must be credited. 

5.7 YES 

• All religions are treated the same. 
• The State has the right to interfere in matters of religion if it has a negative  impact on communities. 
• Religions which used to influence the State in the past, are now treated the  same as other religions. 
• Secular world views are accommodated and are given the same  recognition as any religion. 
• A religious state imposes the state religion on non-believers. 
• However, secular states are guilty of some of the worst human rights  abuses. E.g. the bombing of Hiroshima.
  OR 

NO 

• Human rights are rooted in religious teachings. 
• Such teachings guarantee human rights. 
• E.g. Thou shalt not kill. This protects all human life, even that of the  unborn. 
• Religious states in the past have also committed gross human rights  (8) abuses.  
• E.g. the Spanish Inquisition, the Crusades. 
• Therefore, human rights can be respected as well as abused by both  secular and religious states.
  NOTE: Candidates may respond with a combination of answers. 

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