RELIGION STUDIES
PAPER 2
GRADE 12 
NSC EXAMS
PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS NOVEMBER 2018

MEMORANDUM 

QUESTION 1 
1.1.1

• Non-voluntary euthanasia means ending someone's life painlessly when  they are unable to ask for death, but there is sound medical reason for thinking they would want death. 
• Voluntary euthanasia refers to the situation where a person who is  terminally ill and dying in pain, asks another person to end his/her life  painlessly. 
• Assisted suicide refers to providing a terminally ill person with the means  to commit suicide. (4) 

1.1.2 ADVANTAGES 
It may help the following patients: 

•  People who are terminally ill and for whom there is no relief from  excruciating pain. Such a person's suffering will be ended. 
• It can also help those who are too weak to ask for voluntary euthanasia. 
• It can help those who cannot respond to treatment as a result of organ  failure. 

In addition: 

• It will ease the stress of people who have been bedridden for a very long  time. 
• The economic benefit is that this may help save the family and the state  money, as some people will never recover, based on medical evidence. 
• Medicine and medical treatment are very expensive, and the resources  can be used for those who have a better chance of recovery. 
• The family is relieved from helplessly watching the suffering of their loved  one.  

DISADVANTAGES 

• Conflict often arises due to differing opinions and beliefs of various family  members. 
• The family of the terminally ill person may choose euthanasia and assisted  suicide for economic and inheritance reasons, and benefit from the  inheritance. 
• Some people may regret their decision at a later date, leading to  unresolved grieving and guilt. 
• Euthanasia could be used by unscrupulous doctors as an excuse for organ  harvesting. 
• Euthanasia and assisted suicide may send signals to other family  members that choosing death is an acceptable action, and lead to  suicides. 
• Doctors may refuse to perform euthanasia on the basis of their religious  beliefs. 

NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (12)
1.1.3 EXAMPLE 1: CHRISTIANITY 

• Christianity is against euthanasia because it values the sanctity of life.
• It teaches that life is created by God. 
• The sacredness of life is embedded in the Word, so no one can tamper  with life in any way. 
• It is up to God, not humans, to determine when people would die. 
• Euthanasia is to put oneself on par with God. This is condemned in the  Bible. 
• In the Christian faith the option of euthanasia is regarded as murder. 
• 'Why should you die before your time?' (Ecclesiastes 7:17). 
• This means euthanasia is against God's will because it causes somebody to die before his/her time. 
• 'Your eyes saw my unformed substance; in your book were written, even  one of them, the days that were formed for me, when as yet there was  none of them'. (Psalm 139:16). 
• This means that God alone determines the time of death for every one of  us. Therefore euthanasia is against God's plan for men. 
• Thou shall not commit murder' (Exodus 20:13). This commandment  forbids euthanasia. 

EXAMPLE 2: HINDUISM 

•  In Hinduism, there are differences of opinion, due to different traditions.
• Hindus embrace karma (a belief that every action has a consequence,  which may show up only in a later reincarnation). If one practises euthanasia there will be negative consequences for the soul.
• Hindus believe that whatever suffering a person experiences in his/her  current life is the result of something one did in a past life.
• If one circumvents karma by taking action to stop suffering, one will pay for  it later. 
• Some Hindus believe that there are circumstances that justify a hastening  of death.
• Some believe that if a person has reached a stage in life in which s/he can  no longer worship God, s/he may ask a doctor to hasten the end of his/her  life.
• However, most Hindus do not subscribe to the concept of euthanasia.
• In general, Hinduism is against euthanasia because it breaches the  teaching of ahimsa (doing no harm). 

NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. 
Credit is given for teachings from only the first religion identified. (10)
1.2
1.2.1 NOTE: A total of FOUR marks may be awarded for naming the  two branches in either 1.2.1 or 1.2.2, but not both. The same  two branches must be discussed in 1.2.1 and 1.2.2. 
EXAMPLE 1: BUDDHISM 
The learner may choose any TWO of the following branches: 

• Theravada Buddhism
• Theravada Buddhism believes in the doctrine of anatman. 
•  'Anatman' means that the ego/self prevents us from becoming enlightened and reaching nirvana.
• Theravada Buddhism teaches that enlightenment comes  through an individual's efforts, and not by the intervention of  others or any gods. 
• Mahayana Buddhism 
• This branch believes that there is no such thing as an individual,  autonomous self. All beings are connected.
• Followers of Mahayana believe in collective enlightenment.
• Mahayana Buddhism teaches that the motivation for  enlightenment is compassion for all living things. 
• The followers strive to become bodhisattva, (one who is at the  service of the enlightenment of others). 
• Tibetan Buddhism 
• The followers of Tibetan Buddhism believe in the reincarnation  of lineage of certain lamas (teachers), such as the Dalai Lama. 
• They believe that Buddha can be shown in human form. 
• They believe in a pantheon of Buddhas, bodhisattvas and  dharma protectors. 
• Zen Buddhism 
• They teach that direct communication, and not scriptural study, is the way of experiencing enlightenment. 
• They believe that Zen is the way of life and not solely a state of  conscience. 
• They believe that Buddha can be shown in a human form, such  as in the person of Padmasambhava (one who brought Zen  Buddhism in Tibet). 

NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (12)
1.2.2 EXAMPLE 1: BUDDHISM 
Theravada Buddhism 

• Monks live in monasteries, they beg for their food and meditate most of the day. 
• Theravada monks also assist and co-operate with laity in important  life events such as births, weddings and funerals. 
• Building stupas (tower- like structures) is a widespread practice. 
• Most practices are performed in the home although there is also  individual and communal meditation and chanting in temples. 
•  They leave altar offerings of food, incense, candles and flowers at  the temple, in front of the statue of Buddha. 

Mahayana Buddhism 

• They practise more ritual elements than Theravada Buddhism, such as prostrating themselves. 
• Only people who live in monasteries are allowed to practise  meditation. 
• Lay people are allowed to practise chanting and prayer. 

Tibetan Buddhism 

• Practices used include meditation, rituals and chanting. 
• They use methods like trances to recover hidden ancient  scriptures. 
• Tibetan Buddhist monks wear orange robes in their temples. 

Zen Buddhism 

• They practise meditation in order to attain enlightenment. 
• They choose Zen teachers to guide students in meditation and  performing rituals. 
• They practise dharma transmission (passing of Buddha's teachings  from the master to the students). 

NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited (12) 
1.2.1 EXAMPLE 2: CHRISTIANITY 

• Roman Catholic Church 
• This branch sees itself as the original church of Christ. 
• The Holy Spirit comes from God the Father and the Son. 
• Eastern Orthodox Church 
• According to the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Holy Spirit comes  from God the Father only, and not the Son. 
• They believe that they are the rightly guided church. 
• They teach that no one has the power to change Christian  teachings and traditions. 
• They see the Bible as canonical.
• Protestantism 
• In Protestantism, the Bible has more authority than the Pope. 
• Rituals are less important than belief. 
• They believe that faith is the key to salvation. 
• Salvation is a gift given freely through the work of Jesus Christ,  who died for sinners.  

NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (12)
1.2.2 EXAMPLE 2: CHRISTIANITY 
The learner may choose any TWO of the following branches: Roman Catholic Church 

• They ordain their priests, who practise celibacy. 
• They confess their sins to a priest. 
• Nuns and monks do not marry. 
• There is no dissolution of marriage. 
• They practise last rites before the death of a person. 

Eastern Orthodox Church 

• They express piety by kissing images of Saints, called icons. 
• They see the entire Bible as canonical. 
• Ordained priests can get married. 

Protestantism 

•  Attendance of Sunday services is important in Protestantism. 
• Holy Communion service is also practised in many forms of  Protestantism. 
• Speaking in tongues in the Pentecostal/Charismatic churches is  a characteristic. 
• They have revival tent crusades with the gospel,to reach the  lost. 
• Healing services are also common. 
• Charity is seen as an outward sign of inner grace, and not as  'buying one's way to heaven'. 

NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (12) [50]

QUESTION 2
2.1
2.1.1 EXAMPLE 1: AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION 

• For the indigenous traditional African, the nature of the world  includes all that exists. 
• The world is understood more as the cosmos than simply as the  planet Earth. 
• All that exists is looked upon as a living wholeness manifesting  itself in a variety of forms and phases. 
• Life is understood as a perpetual exchange of interconnected  forces among and between all beings. 
• According to this understanding, the cosmos or the universe  does not have a centre. 

2.1.2 NOTE: If ONLY reward or ONLY punishment is discussed,  award a maximum of SIX marks.  
EXAMPLE 1: AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION 

• Reward and punishment in ATR occurs in the present life, not  after death. 
• The living dead/ancestors are believed to be able to punish  evildoers and reward those who do good. 
• Punishment from the living dead, comes in various forms of  affliction. 
• The person experiencing these afflictions, is said to have bad  blood. 
• The remedy for bad blood is an appropriate form of cleansing  which is intended to appease the living dead. 
• Whenever these rituals are needed, the traditional healer holds  the remedy for the cleansing of bad blood. 
• Those who lived a good life are rewarded by becoming  ancestors. 
• Those who venerate the ancestors are rewarded by prosperity  and a good life. 

2.1.1 EXAMPLE 2: ISLAM 

• According to the Qur'an, Allah created the universe in six  phases. 
• Allah also provides the energy that everything in the universe  needs for survival and growth. 
• The existence of the universe is not accidental and life is not  purposeless, but planned and purposeful.
• The universe, having been created in time, is not eternal but has  a fixed time span. 
• Since Allah alone is eternal, to believe in the eternity of the  universe would mean equating creation to the Creator. This is a  major sin (shirk).
• NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (10)

2.1.2 EXAMPLE 2: ISLAM 

• Islam teaches that reward and punishment exist in the present  world and after death. 
• On the Day of Judgment all humanity will be resurrected to be  judged by Allah.
• Those who believe in Allah and have fulfilled their obligations to  the Creator, as well as to humanity, will be rewarded and  admitted to paradise. 
• Those who deny the existence of Allah will be punished and  consigned to hell. 
• Those who believe but have failed to fulfill their obligations, will  be either forgiven or punished in accordance with the nature of  their wrongdoing. 
• The giving of alms to the poor is said to bring a person closer to  Allah and will be rewarded with Allah's mercy and kindness.
• NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (10) 

2.2 NOTE: If there is no comparison, award a maximum of EIGHT marks.

• In Abrahamic religions sacred texts are central to their practices and  beliefs. That is why they are called 'religions of the Book'. 
• Abrahamic religions' teachings are fixed in their written sacred scriptures.
• In non-Abrahamic religions, like Hinduism, absolute authority is awarded to  the original sound of the spoken word, not to the text. 
• Therefore non-Abrahamic religions see their beliefs and teachings as  being objects of fluidity/seeking. 
• In Abrahamic religions sacred texts evoke a deeper connection with the Divine. 
• In non-Abrahamic religions, such as Buddhism, scriptures are not seen as  divine dictates.
• The Abrahamic religions are characteristically exclusivist because their  religion is fundamentally rooted in their holy scriptures. 
• The non-Abrahamic religions are characteristically pluralist, e.g. Hinduism.
• In Abrahamic religions, sacred texts foster communal identity, while in  religions like Hinduism, there is a variety of texts and one can follow any  text.
• NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (14)

2.3

• 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. 
• Plan, purpose and context 
• The writing plan or structure of the whole document must be taken into  account. 
• An extract must be seen as part of the whole. 
• E.g. Is the writing in the form of poetry or prose? 
• Meaning of words
• The meaning of words often changes over time and context. 
• For the correct interpretation the original meaning must be considered.
• Figurative language 
• Figurative language is used widely in sacred texts.
• This must be identified as such, so that it is not interpreted literally. 
• Figurative language requires the application of all the other hermeneutical  principles for correct interpretation. 
• Other sacred texts 
• One sacred text may be used to interpret other sacred texts from the same  religion. 
• This is because there is consistency between the teachings of the religion  and its sacred texts. (16) [50]

QUESTION 3 
3.1

• In ATR, people communicate with their ancestors through inspiration.
• Mediums and diviners specialise in communicating with the ancestors and  spirits. 
• Mediums often go through a process of death and rebirth during their  training. This happens because of inspiration. 
• In this process, they believe that personality is terminated and the medium  receives a new personality, dedicated to the supernatural forces. 
• Such mediums have an intermediary function. African Traditional Religion includes contemporary and divine inspiration. NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited.  (10) 

3.2 EXAMPLE 1:  
AGNOSTICISM 

•  Agnosticism comes from the Greek, 'a', which means 'without' and 'gnosis' which means 'knowledge'. 
• This term was first used by a philosopher called TH Huxley in 1869. 
• Agnostics believe that it is not possible to either prove or disprove the  existence of God or a supernatural being. 
• This refers to uncertainty about God-knowledge. 
• Agnostics are sceptical of religious teachings. 
• They reject religious doctrine, especially religions that claim to have  spiritual knowledge. 

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.   (14)
• NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. 

3.3

• The Constitution of South Africa is not based on any religious teachings.
• The Constitution of South Africa promotes equal recognition of all religions.
• The Constitution also promotes religious freedom. 
• Secularism helped South Africans to design a constitution that promotes  religious tolerance. 
• Freedom of religions, beliefs and opinion are enshrined in the Constitution.
• In the South African Constitution, morals and ethical values are based on  reasoning and not on religious teachings. 
• There is no state religion.
• NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. (10)

3.4 YES  

• Today society relies on the faculty of reason in order to make decisions.
• They ignore the authority of the Supreme Being. 
• They rely on reason, evidence and scientific approach in dealing with life.
• They undermine the dictates of sacred texts. 
• Religious places of worship are no longer respected. 
• The majority of youth do not attend religious celebrations and rituals,  because these are not based on human reasoning. 
• Secular humanists put more emphasis on liberal views of human rights than traditional religious beliefs. 
• As a result there is an increase in social challenges, such as crime and  teenage pregnancy, which result from a degeneration of moral values. 

NO 

• Secularism promoted the development of the Bill of Human Rights that  promote moral values. 
• Moral values are promoted through the Constitution in secular states.
• There is no need for sacred texts to develop a moral code. The rule of law  will enforce moral values. 
• Families have the responsibility of developing moral values in their  children. This can be done independently of religion. 
• Secularism has contributed through secular states to end religious wars, thus restoring human dignity. 
• Today people of different faiths are able to coexist and help each other during difficult times because one religion does not dominate another. 
• This does not mean that people who hold a secular worldview do not have  morals and values. 
• Secularism instils a sense of self awakening. Some people do not belong to any religion, but still have a deep concern for their soul or spirit, thus developing high moral values.  (16)
• NOTE: Other relevant responses must be credited. A combination of both perspectives may be accepted. [50]

QUESTION 4 
4.1 NOTE: If there is no comparison, award a maximum of FOUR marks.

• The Big Bang Theory teaches that there was an enormous explosion from  which the different planets were formed. 
• This happened about 13,7 billion years ago. 
• Small temperature differences in the initial explosion led to varying  densities through the universe. 
• These eventually formed into clusters of matter and energy. 
• The clusters continued to condense in a lumpy way and formed the vast  collection of stars called galaxy. 
• Some of the lumps in galaxies condensed into a combination of stars and  planets. 
• Earth was formed about 4,5 billion years ago. 
• Traditional religions maintain that the universe was created perfect. 
• In Abrahamic religions the Creator is male. 
• At first, only the Creator exists. The Creator then makes the universe from nothing. 
• Abrahamic religions believe that God/Allah/Yahweh created the universe in  six days. 
• For Hindus the Creator exists in either an active or passive state. 
• The passive state is a state of rest when nothing happens. 
• At rest, the universe has no form, is undifferentiated, and 'flat' all over.
• After a long time, the Creator stirs and become active. This is when the  creation begins. 
• Hinduism upholds both physical and spiritual evolution but science is  limited to physical evolution.
• NB: Any relevant response must be awarded (10) 

4.2

• The theory proposes that all life evolved from primitive forms and  continues to adapt and evolve. 
• It asserts that humans have evolved from an ancestor shared with apes.
• The theory of evolution, according to Charles Darwin, consists of the  following ideas: 
  • Species contain a great variety of minor differences. 
  • In the fight for survival, better adapted variations will be favoured while  those that are not fit will struggle to survive. 
  •  This applies to change in humans as well. 
  • In the fight for survival, humans adapted and gradually change from  apes to human beings. 
  • The process of change and adaptation happened over a very long period of time. 
  • Science offers no explanation of creation as part of a divine plan. (14)
  • NB: Other relevant response must be awarded. 

4.3 4.3.1 HINDUISM 

•  Hindus have no problem with evolution. 
• They believe that the universe is based on evolution. 
• They believe that they have a more advanced theory of  evolution than the scientific one. 
• The scientific theory is limited. 
• It focuses only on the physical perspective of creation.
• Hindus believe that humans have control over their spiritual and  physical evolution. 
• Hindus believe that if one lives a good life one will evolve  through many rebirths until one is physically and spiritually  advanced.
• Ultimately, one will achieve liberation from the physical and be  one with God. 
• Hindus believe that there is an intelligent designer behind  everything like evolution of humanity and of the universe. (12) 

4.3.2 CHRISTIANITY 

•  In contrast, there is no connection between the traditional  Christians and the theory of evolution.
• Traditional Christians only accept that God created Adam and  Eve as it is narrated in the Book of Genesis.
• They argue that there is no evidence in history of human beings  evolving from apes. 
• God created perfect human beings and gave them authority to  rule and manage the world. 
• However there is a connection between the theory of evolution  and liberal/progressive Christians. 
• They argue that everything in the universe was created by God,  and the process of evolution is also part of the Divine Plan. (It is  referred as 'intelligent design')
• They say God was responsible for the Big Bang. 
• Progressive Christians accept the idea of guided/theistic  evolution, and add that the creation myth must be seen as  symbolic. 
• They admit that there were some stages of creation which  involved evolution, as explained by scientists. (14) [50]

QUESTION 5 
5.1 EXAMPLE 1: WORLD CONFLICT (2) 

•  Israel-Palestine Conflict 

5.2

• The on-going conflict started with the establishment of Israel in 1948.
• Hard-line Israelis and Zionists claim that, according to their scripture,  Palestine rightfully belongs to the Jews. 
• This claim is rejected by Palestinians, as well as many Jewish  organisations, including some Orthodox Jews. 
• The land of Israel is sacred to Jews, Christians and Muslims. 
• The Al Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem is Islam's third holiest site. 
• Jerusalem is also sacred to Christians, as it is where Christ was crucified.
• Jews regard Jerusalem as the location of the Temple Mount/Temple of  Solomon. 
• All these sites existed long before the creation of the state of Israel, and  were occupied by various tribes throughout history. 
• Jews and Palestinians are fighting for the control over land. (12) 

5.3

• Religion does not play a major role in this conflict.
• Religion is used as an excuse for the conflict. 
• There is no attempt by any side to convert people to their faith.
• The continuous occupation of Palestinian land by Jewish settlers is a major  factor in the conflict. 
• The building of illegal settlements on this land is also a major factor.(10)

5.4

• Numerous UN resolutions have been passed condemning this occupation.
• However, Israel continues to defy UN resolutions and is building more  settlements on Palestinian land. 
• There are sporadic attacks on Palestinians, as well as on Jews. 
• The American president, Donald Trump, recently declared that America  recognises Jerusalem as the capital city of Israel. 
• This has stirred up the conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians. 
• Most of the world does not accept Trump's declaration. (10)

5.5 NOTE: A maximum of EIGHT marks may be awarded for social  intervention. 

•  Religious leaders can call an inter-religious summit to discuss the conflict.
• The dialogue should lead to practical steps that can be taken on both  sides, regardless of religion, towards alleviating the situation. 
• Religious leaders are still respected and can act as mediators between  conflicting parties. 
• Religious organisations can use their religious conviction about peace in  the world and the sacredness of life, to lead and model peaceful  behaviour. 
• Religious leaders can mediate and hold a dialogue with all parties with  influence over the situation in Israel/Palestine. E.g. America, which is not  one of the parties in the conflict, but has huge influence over the situation. 
• Religious organisations can co-operate to alleviate human suffering such  as shortage of food, medical supplies or other necessities. 
• Religious organisations have a network of contacts with other parts of the  world, and can publicise the situation. (16) 
• They can mobilise people to pray for and support the affected people.

5.1 EXAMPLE 2: AFRICA 

•  Darfur in Sudan (2) 

5.2

• Fault lines in Darfur society can be traced back well over 100 years.
• The main divisions in this country are ethnic and cultural. 
• Religion does not seem to be the 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 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 and animists. 
• For many centuries, nomads and farmers made an effort to coexist, but  when food became scarce, competition for scarce resources led to conflict.
• The oil resources of the Heglig fields are also a major factor in the conflict.
• Darfur was also the centre of the slave trade in North East Africa. (12) 

5.3

• Religion plays only a minor role in the conflict, and therefore this is not a  religious war. No attempt is made by one religion to convert another. 
• Muslims also enlisted in the SPLA. 
• There was also evidence of infighting in the SPLA soon after it was  formed. 
• The conflict in Sudan is known as the longest running civil war in history. (Focus p. 94). The imposition of Sharia law (1983) was therefore not the  cause of the conflict, but it worsened the fragile situation. 
• Civil war had started as far back as 1955. 
• There are numerous other divisions (economic, cultural and tribal), which  continue even after establishment of South Sudan. 
• Even after South Sudan gained independence from Khartoum in 2011,  armed conflict still continues in the region. (10)

5.4

• There is still conflict in South Sudan, even after independence which was  gained on 9 July 2011. 
• The 2013–2015 civil war displaced 2,2 million people to many parts of the  world. 
• Around 6 million people are currently at risk of going hungry. 
• About 70% of schools have been closed due to fighting. 
• There is a new element of ethnic hatred and conflict adding to what had  been going on before.
• There are disturbing indicators of potential impending genocide inside the  country. 
• Human rights groups say the evidence of war crimes grows by the day.
• The people in South Sudan are now totally dependent on aid groups. (10) 

5.5

• Religious leaders can mediate and have dialogue with all parties. 
• Religious leaders are respected and through their religion usually have  contacts and connections in many parts of the world. 
• They must liaise with political parties to find a solution, as the conflict is not  religious. 
• They have access to a network of people from other parts of the world that can assist in the resolution of the conflict.
• Most religions teach peace and compassion. Therefore members are  willing to contribute materially and financially to the victims of conflict. 
• Religious leaders can call an inter-religious summit for dialogue on the  conflict. 
• Dialogue means to talk and listen with respect so as to try and understand  the problem and seek a solution. 
• The dialogue should lead to practical steps that can be taken on both  sides, regardless of religion, towards alleviating the situation. 
• Religious organisations can use their religious conviction about peace in  the world and the sacredness of life, to lead and model peaceful  behaviour. 
• Religious organisations can co-operate to alleviate human sufferings such  as shortage of food, medical supplies or other necessities. 
• The African Union, the United Nations and many international aid agencies  must try to protect and support civilians. 
• Organisations like the Islamic Relief Agency and the Catholic Agency for  Overseas Development should focus on practical support, such as medical  supply, shelter for victims and the supply of food. (16) [50] 

 TOTAL: 150