RELIGIOUS STUDIES
PAPER 1
GRADE 12   
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2018

MEMORANDUM

SECTION A (COMPULSORY) 
QUESTION 1  
1.1
1.1.1 B √ (1)
1.1.2 A√ (1)
1.1.3 D√ (1)
1.1.4 B√ (1)
1.1.5 C√ (1)
1.1.6 A√ (1)
1.1.7 C√ (1)
1.1.8 C√ (1)
1.1.9 B√ (1)
1.1.10 D√ (1) 
1.2
1.2.1 G√ (1)
1.2.2 E√ (1)
1.2.3 D√ (1)
1.2.4 F√ (1)
1.2.5 C√ (1)
1.2.6 A√ (1) 
1.3
1.3.1 Siddhartha Gautama√√ (2)
1.3.2 Caliph√√ (2)
1.3.3 Brahman/Smartas√√ (2)
1.3.4 Anglican√√ (2)
1.3.5 Diviners/Izangoma/Amagqirha √√ (2) 
1.4
1.4.1

• It is a belief in many supreme beings.√
• It could also mean many manifestations of one God. √ (2) 

1.4.2

• A substitute for religion√
• It is a system or a set of beliefs.√
• Values and opinions that determine the way a person or a group  behaves and thinks. √
• It is the science of ideas. √ (2) 

1.4.3

• They believe that a being is born into a next life over and over  again.√
• The rebirth of the soul or spirit in a new body. √ (2) 

1.4.4

• It is the acceptance of things as they are.√
• A person in Nirvana can make decisions and choices not out of  emotional turmoil and suffering, but from a position of knowing  the consequences of his or her actions. √ (2) 

1.4.5

• A small religious group. √
• It is regarded by mainstream religion as deviating from the  original teachings. √ (2)

1.5
1.5.1

• False, √ yoga is a spiritual discipline including breath control,  simple meditation, and specific body postures.√
• Baptism is a sacrament in which a convert is made a full member  of a particular Christian community. (2) 

1.5.2 False,√ in Taoism, spontaneity and flexibility are the characteristics  of the path that the universe travels.√ (2) 
1.5.3 False,√ the Ten Commandments were revealed to Moses. (2)
1.5.4 True.√√ (2) 
1.5.5 False,√ it is a sacred text for the Latter Day saints Movement.√ False, the sacred text of the Baha'i Faith is called Kitab-i-Aqdas (2)
1.6
1.6.1

• It is a set of religious beliefs or principles. √
• It is another word for 'teaching'. √
• It provides the central frame of reference for a religion. √ (2) 

1.6.2

• It comes from the Greek word 'mythos' which means 'word' or  'fable'.√
• It is those religious stories in which deep truths about life are  revealed. √
• They are sacred stories that explain why the world is as it is and  the nature of human experience. √ (2)

TOTAL SECTION A 50 

SECTION B 
QUESTION 2 
2.1
2.1.1

• Difference is the opposite of similarity.
• It can be used to differentiate between specific religions.
• Example: Christians believe that the Messiah has already come  to the world whereas those who believe in the Jewish faith are  still waiting for the Messiah. (4) 

2.1.2

• Teachings come from the verb 'to teach', i.e. to impart  knowledge.
• In the context of religion, it refers to imparting knowledge,  values, attitudes and norms.
• Teachings communicate the deeper meanings of the world and  how life operates.
• Teachings also mean to give systematic information about a  subject.
• In some religions, teachings are highly significant whilst in  others they are less important.
• Example: Buddhism is far less inclined to stress systematic  teachings than most Christian groups. (4) 

2.1.3

• This is the way of Higher Truths.
• Dharma implies the universal laws of nature that uphold the  cosmos.
• It is also the way of the doctrines in the Buddhist religion.
• Dharma carries the teachings of Buddha.
• Dharma integrates within its meaning certain concepts.
• For example: Justice, virtue, morality, righteousness, law and  duty. (4) 

2.1.4 

• Syncretism is a state in which two different belief systems are  combined to form one.
• This can be experienced in the African Indigenous Churches in  which Christianity is combined with the African Traditional  Religion.
• Another example is Sikhism which combines Hinduism and  Islam. (4) 

2.1.5

• This is where an adherent believes that only their view of divinity  is true.
• In this case the believer also believes that other religious views  different from his or hers are false.
• For example in Christianity: Jesus Christ is believed to be the  only ONE who is the way and the truth and that He is God  himself. (4)

2.2
2.2.1 Christianity 

• Christians believe that God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save  the world from sin, so that all humanity can live forever. 
• Christians believe that Jesus is God's Son. 
• Christians believe and teach that Jesus was resurrected from  the dead after He was crucified. 
• Jesus is the only true Messiah that God sent to earth and that  one day He will return. (6) 

2.2.2 Taoism 

• According to Taoism, divinity refers to any being or object that is  divine or god-like.
• The Tao that can be told of is the eternal Tao.
• According to Taoism, all things come from being, and being  comes from non-being.
• Everything consists of two things: Yin and Yang. (6) 

2.2.3 African Traditional Religion 

• In the African Traditional Religion, there is no special day of  worship.
• The emphasis is on practice.
• Individualism is discouraged; it is regarded as inhuman  (communal way of life).
• The moral order in African Traditional religion is characterised  by the concept of 'ubuntu.' 
• They believe in ancestors. (6) 

2.3

• Uniqueness in a religion helps the members to explain why they have  chosen that religion.
• Uniqueness helps the members to strengthen their faith. 
• It also helps members to identify who belongs and who does not belong. 
• Uniqueness of various religions assists in enriching the wider society with  values and morality.
• Uniqueness also provides believers with reasons for why their religion is  'best'.
• It provides the features that distinguish each religion from the other.
• Uniqueness strengthens the unity of the members in a particular religion. (12) [50]

QUESTION 3 
3.1 
3.1.1

• It teaches that South Africans can be a united people, despite their  apartheid past.
• Religion should not be a divisive force.
• This is evidenced by the fact that numerous religions were  accommodated at the funeral.
• We should never be divided along racial lines: we should see one  another as human beings.
• This is shown by the fact that Kathrada was married to a White  woman, in a time when inter-racial marriages were illegal.
• A person who made great sacrifices for humanity will always be  acknowledged and respected.
• This is clear as many political organisations, race groups and  religions paid respect to Kathrada.
• No race group should be dominated by another. This will bring  about racial harmony. 
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be accepted. (12) 

3.1.2

• There is utmost respect and tolerance for religious differences.
• This is demonstrated by the fact that an Anglican Archbishop  prayed at a Muslim funeral.
• Also, many religions were represented.
• In addition, racial differences are overcome
• Racial stereotypes are challenged, as Kathrada's wife was white  and an activist in the freedom movement.
• Freedom of speech is respected.
• Ahmed Kathrada's wish that the President of the country step  down was read out at the funeral.
• South Africans remember and honour the sacrifices of one of  South Africa's veterans in the liberation of our country.
• This is why the funeral was attended by people of all races and  religions.
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be accepted. (12) 

3.1.3

• There is much negativity about South Africa, in terms of its  economic and political challenges.
• Despite this, Ahmed Kathrada's funeral illustrated that racial and  religious differences can be overcome.
• As long as there is hope, people will strive for a better South  Africa.
• Although the odds are stacked against us, there is hope that we  shall overcome these challenges. (6)

3.1.4 Advantages 

• Social media presents up-to-date information to the public. 
• Religious organizations can use social media to promote  themselves. 
• Different religions can use media to announce their activities e.g.  Easter celebrations in Christianity, Diwali celebrations in Hinduism. 
• Individuals can also air their views on different aspects of life.
• Social media can assist in ensuring that messages that are  intended for specific sections of the community reach the intended  recipients. 
• They can also use media to convey messages of hope to the whole nation.   (6) 

Disadvantages 

• It can promote radical personal opinions that may impact negatively on significant religious issues. 
• It can be an effective tool for religious propaganda. 
• It may cause degeneration of moral values in society, as children  can have easy access to undesirable material.
• People can become addicted to media and live self-centred lives. (6) 

3.2

• Reporters often do not have the specialist knowledge to interpret religious  issues.
• The media relies on generation of income. They therefore report  selectively on issues that will sell newspapers.
• Editorial decisions are influenced by political interests.
• Advertisers also influence how religious issues are covered in the media.
  NOTE: Other relevant points must be credited. (8) [50]

QUESTION 4 
4.1
4.1.1

• Colonialism is a policy or practice where a wealthy or powerful nation maintains control over other countries/nations. 
• According to the extract, colonialism refers to the taking of land  by white people without the permission of the indigenous  occupants.
• Under the pretext of religion, colonialists stole the land.
• Colonialists used religion to subjugate (control) the indigenous  people.
• Colonialists used prayer and the Bible to take away the land  from their owners. (4) 

4.1.2 YES 

• The majority of Africans in our country are Christians.
• This is the influence of Christian missionaries.
• However, they do not own the land, but they are like foreigners  in their own country.
• The blacks, who are the majority in South Africa, are excluded  from the economy of the country because they have no land. 
• Most black South Africans live in informal settlements which  have no infrastructure, because the ownership of the land is in  question.
• The white monopoly capitalists are the owners of the land in our  country. They used illegal methods to take land from indigenous  blacks.
• Christianity was used as a tool to take the land that belonged to  the Africans. 

NO 

• Missionaries had come to spread the Gospel of Christ.
• Missionaries introduced health services.
• They also introduced education and built schools.
• The white man brought technology for the benefit of all.
• They facilitated the development of indigenous languages and  translated the Bible into different African languages.
• This shows that they were sincere in propagating the religion.
• The issue of land ownership is a complex one, with some land  belonging to tribal authorities.
• Individual ownership of that land is not permissible.
• The government is still dealing with the land claim issue. (12)

4.1.3

• Interreligious dialogue refers to the communication between two  or more religions.
• Intrareligious dialogue occurs between two or more branches of  the same religion.
• Interreligious dialogue occurs on matters of common interest  and particular issues that different religions find necessary to  engage on.
• Intrareligious dialogue takes place when the branches of the  same religion engage each other on matters of common interest  and other issues that may be found necessary to be discussed.
• An example of intrareligious dialogue is the dialogue between  the Catholic and Protestant branches of Christianity through the  Lutheran World Council.
• An example of interreligious dialogue is the World Conference  of Religions for Peace which was established in 1961. (8) 

4.2 EXAMPLE 1: Name of the Organisation 
Interfaith Action for Peace in Africa 
Achievements: 

• Bringing together religious communities, civil society, private sector and  governments.
• Being inclusive of different religions e.g. African Traditional Religion,  Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Baha'i Faith.
• It has been able to send its delegation to the areas of conflict.
• Its members have also been able to bring conflicting groups together in  reaching understanding and co-operation among each other.
• The members of this organisation have been able to participate in the  legislative election in Togo.
• They have been able to organise exchange visits between landmine  victims and survivors from Ethiopia, South Sudan and Uganda.
• They were also participating in the World Social Forum held in Kenya  (2007).
• They also sent women's delegation to Nordic countries.
• They were also successful in forming IFAPA Women Network.
• This organisation was also able to organise the Nakanyonyi Youth  consultation forum.  

EXAMPLE 2: Name of the Organisation 
African Women of Faith Network  
Achievements: 

• They have been able to solve some problems in Africa, such as poverty  and illness.
• They have also made an important contribution towards solving conflict in  Africa.
• They have made a contribution towards change and development in Africa.
• They have also been successful in dealing with challenges of poverty and  lack of education faced by women in African communities.
• They have worked to uplift women by teaching them skills and providing  financial support.
• They have also worked hard towards educating women about their human  rights.
• They have also made a significant contribution towards the fight against  HIV and AIDS pandemic.
• They have managed to make a considerable contribution towards bringing  about peace and justice in Africa as a whole. 
  NOTE: Other Africa-based organisations must be credited. (16) 

4.3 Interfaith Action for Peace in Africa 

• This is a pan-African non-profit organisation. 
• It was founded in 2002.
• this organisation was established to unite religious communities across  Africa.
• This organisation was also established to promote co-operation among  religions.
• It was also initiated to combine the efforts of different religions to work for  peace in the African continent. 

African Women of Faith Network  

• This organisation has strong connection with the African Council of  Religious Leaders (ACRL).
• This organisation is made up of women from different religious  organisations.
• It was formed so that women could make the contribution towards change  and development.
• This organisation was formed to in order to solve socio-economic problems  in Africa.
• The African Women of Faith Network was established so that it included  members from across the continent. (10) [50]

QUESTION 5 
5.1

• The World Conference of Religions for Peace (WCRP) has its branches in  many different countries of the world, which stand together against the use  of religion to support violence and human sufferings. 
• The European Council of Religions Leaders, affiliate of the WCRP strongly  appealed to all religious leaders of all faiths to reject and do their best to  stop the on-going acts of violence and terror, which are carried in the name  of God.
• The WCRP and its affiliates responded strongly against the publication of  cartoons considered by Muslims to be offensive.
• The Western Europe Interfaith Youth Organisation through the  development of interfaith network have achieved their goal and played an  active role in the progression towards world peace.
• There is a general acceptance among religious groups that there is more  religious tolerance now than it used to be in the past due to WCRP.
  NOTE: ANY relevant response must be credited. (8) 

5.2

• In African Traditional Religion, the principle of 'Ubuntu' places the needs of  the community above those of the individual. This ensures good morality,  as a person may not cause harm to others. 
• In Christianity, the Ten Commandments speak to harmful actions that are  prohibited.
• This leads to good morality. e.g. 'love your neighbour as you love  yourself.'
• Islam teaches as follows: 'And in their wealth and possession there was  due share for the beggar and for one who is denied (goods).'
• This teaching encourages caring for the poor by means of compulsory  charity.
• According to Buddhism, devotees are taught to refrain from telling lies, but  to speak in a kind and purposeful way.
• According to Hinduism, one should 'speak words that are truthful, pleasant,  beneficial, and not causing distress or anxiety, as well as the study and  recitation of scriptures – this is austerity of speech.' (BG 17.15)
  NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (10)

5.3

• There was much more interfaith cooperation during the apartheid years.
• All religions were facing one common enemy which was apartheid.
• If an imam was killed in detention, Jews, Christians, Hindus and others  joined in the protest, just as they would for their own. 
• The South African branch of the World Conference of Religions for Peace  (WCRP) led by Rev. Frank Chikane and Archbishop Desmond Tutu,  played a significant role.
• Different religions held joint prayer meetings to plead for the divine  intervention.
• Religious properties e.g. church buildings were used for political  gatherings.
• Religious communities led and participated in the public marches against  apartheid laws.
• Anti-apartheid groups included the South African Council of Churches  which was formed in 1968.
• The call of Islam was formed in 1984.
• Jews for justice was formed in 1985. (12) 

5.4
5.4.1

• The concept of religious freedom implies that everyone  everywhere has the freedom of choice to believe what they wish  to about God.
• It also means that people cannot be forced to convert to another  religion.
• In South Africa, people enjoy religious freedom, and the  Constitution prohibits unfair discrimination. (4)

5.4.2

• The concept 'human rights' is believed to have existed for  centuries.
• Human rights refer to the inherent dignity of human beings
• Human rights are important since they protect human beings  from exploitation.
• Human rights are important since they acknowledge the equality  of every human being.
• Human rights provide all human beings with specific rights and  responsibilities. (4)

5.4.3

• n South Africa all religions use the opportunity provided by  government to participate in matters of State.
• An example of this is the NRLF (National Religious Leaders' Forum), which advises on social challenges and religious  matters.
• Catholics and Muslims prayed together in Durban in 2016 to  demonstrate religious tolerance and religious freedom.
• Pope John-Paul II also visited the Palestinian and Jewish  communities preaching religious freedom and tolerance.
• The humanitarian organization Gift of the Givers is an inter religious organization that does charitable work across all  religious groups.
• In conflict areas like Sudan, religious organizations are involved  in finding solution against government who abuse humans' rights.
• Inter-Faith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) always sent its  delegates as observers in most African general elections. 
• Every religion encourages its adherents to follow teachings that  promote human rights (12) [50] 

 TOTAL SECTION B: 100 
 GRAND TOTAL: 150