MEMORANDUM

QUESTION 1
1.1 1.1.1 Nature of the world

• According to Christianity, in the beginning there was nothing but chaos.
• The book of Genesis says God created the world and universe in six days and rested on the seventh day.
• The world was perfect after Trinity had finished with Creation.
• Humans, marine, animals and plants life all belong to God.
• According to Christian understanding the world is subject to the governance of humanity. (10)

1.1.2 Place and responsibility of humanity in the world

• Christians believed that humans were created in the image of God.
• After creating Adam and Eve, God instructed them to look after the Garden of Eden and the whole of creation.
• As co-creator with God, humans are God’s representative on earth.
• God has appointed them to look after His property, the world.
• They are accountable to God. (10)

1.1.3 Nature of life after death

• Christians believe that human’s beings were created immortal.
• Adam and Eve disobeyed Gods commandments.
• The penalty for this sin was death for the human race.
• After this condemnation, God still tried to liberate humanity from evil and death.
• After death, Christians envisage a new community that will be marked by love, sharing and caring.
  (Any relevant answers should be credited.) (10)

1.2 Internal differences
Christianity

• The Christian religion consists of three main branches:
  • Catholics
  • Eastern Orthodox
  • Protestants
• The Catholics claim to be the original Christian church founded by Jesus Christ in the authority of St Peter.
• They teach God consist of three distinct bodies, yet equal persons:
  • God the Father
  • God the Son
  • Holy Spirit
• The Eastern Orthodox Church claims that it is the original church founded by Jesus Christ.
• The reason for the split between the Eastern and Western churches were political and doctrinal.
• The Western church taught that the Holy Spirit proceed from the Father to the Son.
• In the Eastern Church, the authority is in the hands of a group of bishops.
• Protestants did not believe that salvation is something that had to be earned.
• It is free gift from God, by the grace of God.
  (Any relevant response should be credited.)

Islam

• After the death of Prophet Mohammad, one of the groups of Islam elected the prophet’s closest friend Abu Bakr to be the next leader.
• The other group that is supported became known as Sunni.
• The other group believed that, the leadership of the Muslim community should remain within the prophet’s family.
• They believed that all the cousins and brothers-in-law of Mohammed held the divine right to his position.
• The group of Muslims became known as Shiah. (10 x 2) (20) [50]

QUESTION 2
2.1 For the purpose of this marking guideline Sudan is discussed as an example
2.1.1 Sudan, Sudanese Tribes, (Arabic speaking tribes, Fur and Masalit) (4)
2.1.2 Causes

• North of Sudan comprises mainly of Arabic speaking tribes.
• A number of tribes, some of whom are animists, while others are Christian, lived in the Darfur region and south.
• The conflict in Sudan has lasted for more than hundred years.
• There are also economic factors that play a role: the economy of the north is better developed than that of the South.
• The Fur and Masalit tribes are farmers, while the Arabs were mostly nomads. This led to conflict of grazing.
• The discovery of oil in the south (Heglig fields) has led to factional conflicts, as well as greater effort by Khartoum to exert political control over the South.
• When Khartoum imposed Sharia law on the whole country, it resulted in an armed uprising against the government.
• The Sudan People’s Liberation Army (SPLA) was formed and led the attacks against the government.
• However, the SPLA soon split into different factions and turned on each other.
• These splits were mainly along tribal lines.
• Even after South was established as an independent state in 2011, fighting still continue.
  (Any other relevant responses must be credited.) (12)

2.1.3 Current situation

• Sudan was established as an independent state 2011.
• Armed groups have turned on each other.
• The vulnerable civilians are the victims.
• Civil war erupted in South Sudan after the independence from Sudan in 2011
• There is still serious conflict between government and opposition parties.
• The peace signed in 2015 proved to be ineffective.
• Religions do not have influence over politicians.
• The African Union (AU), the United Nations (UN), and many international aid agencies have tried to protect and support civilians.
• There is widespread abuse of human rights and war crimes are being committed by the warring groups.
• Religious organisations do not have a mechanism to enforce agreements.
  (Any other relevant responses must be credited.) (10)

2.1.4 Role of religion

• Religion plays only a minor role in the conflict, and therefore this is not a religious war.
• No attempt has been 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 was therefore not religious.
• There are numerous other divisions (economic and tribal) which have continued even after the establishment of South Sudan.
  (Any other relevant responses must be credited.) (12)

2.2 For the purpose of this marking guideline Secularism and Materialism is discussed
EXAMPLE 1: SECULARISM

• Secularism has paved the way for the development of human rights.
• All religions are given equal status before the law, because of the ideas of secularism.
• It allows different religions to co-exist in harmony.
• Different religions, including minorities, do participate in the formal activities of the state.
•  All religions are given equal status and are free to observe their holy days.
• Secularism has minimised religious wars and general religious conflict in the world.

EXAMPLE 2: MATERIALISM

• This secular world view teaches that matter is the only reality and denies the existence of a spirit of supernatural realm.
• It developed in different areas in Europe and India during what is known as the Axial era (800–200BCE)
• Expressions of this philosophy can be found in ancient Indian philosophy, Buddhism and Confucianism.
• Karl Marx used the term “dialectical materialism” which is a teaching that matter is the fundamental cause of everything.
• He also used the term “historical materialism” which is a teaching that economics and relationships between workers and owners are the fundamental structure in the society.
  (Any other relevant responses must be credited.) (12)[50]

QUESTION 3
3.1 Hermeneutical principles
3.1.1

• Grammar and historical context
• Clearest meaning
• Purpose and time
• Meaning of words
• Figurative language
• The consideration of other sacred texts (8)

3.1.2 Divine Inspiration

• It refers originally to the breath (power, knowledge) of an extra ordinary.
• An example of the breath of an extra ordinary power is a deity, coming into a person and taking that person’s own breath.
• Inspiration refers to a state of being inspired to write, do something or commit yourself to a particular life or experience.
• Inspiration is a very significant normative source in various religions.
• Various religions have figures who received inspiration from a higher power or wisdom.
•  Inspiration may be referred to as true origin of all religions.
• There are many religious figures that have inspired many generations of followers, e.g. Abraham, Moses and Judges, Jesus Christ, the Buddha, Prophet Mohammed and Baha’u’llah. (6)

3.1.3 Oral tradition

• Original inspiration is usually first spread through oral tradition in many religions.
• Before the invention of writing, religious traditions were transmitted by word of mouth.
• It is true that these traditions developed and change and are adapted over time.
• All religion followed oral tradition over many centuries and some still have elements of oral traditions.
• An example of religion which has carried an oral tradition is African Traditional Religion. (6)

3.2 Internal differences in any ONE religion
For the purpose of this marking guideline Islam is discussed as an example
3.2.1 Teachings in Islam

• Islam is divided into two major groups, namely the Sunni and Shi’a 

Sunni Muslim

• Sunni refers to “following” the sunnah (example) of the Prophet Muhammad.
• The Hadith narrated by the companions of the Prophet have equal status to those narrated by his family members.
• The sect believes that all the teachings contained in the Books of Hadith are from equally important.
•  Sunnis follow the teachings of scholars the 7th and 8th centuries.
• Sunni do not accept that a caliph can come exclusively from the Prophet’s family.

Shi’a Muslim

• Shia means partisan or separate party.
• The hadith narrated by the companions of the Prophet have less significance then that narrated by his family members.
• The Shi’a follow the teachings and opinions only of a living scholar. (10)

3.2.2 Difference in governance
Sunni

• There is no clergy in Sunni Islam.
• Any Moslem can serve on community boards.
• Governance is community based.
• Scholars of Islam and community members serve on governing boards of mosques and madrassahs and schools.

Shi’a

• Shi’a Muslims revere the descendants of the Prophet Muhammad and that they have right to lead Muslims.
• Such a leader is referred to as “Imam”.
• The final word in any uncertainty about any religious or political issues lies with the representative of the imam.
• Governance is in the hands of mullahs (priests) who rule by religious decree. (10)

3.2.3 Practices: Sunni

• Religious practices are strictly in accordance with the Sunnah of the Prophet as laid down in the Hadith.
• In Sunni Islam, an “Imam” is simple a leader of a congregation in Sunni Islam.
• Muttah (temporary marriages) are forbidden.
• Imam does not denote formal training in Sunni Islam.

Practices: Shi’a

• Imams are only descendants of the Prophet Muhammad who they believe to be divinely appointed.
• The shrine of Hussein in Karbala is an important pilgrimage for the Shia’s.
• Muttah (temporary marriages) are allowed.
• They practice self-mutilation, for example at the commemoration of the tragedy of Karbala.
• There are two schools of legal opinion – Akbar and Ursula. (10) [50]

QUESTION 4
4.1 Big Bang Theory

• The scientific explanation Creation is called the Big Bang Theory.
• According to the Big Bang Theory, it is not known what existed before the Big Bang.
• The Big Bang Theory states that there was enormous explosion and within a second the universe appeared and filled out to an enormous size.
• The Big Bang Theory states that the process of creation occurred with a second.
• According to the scientific account the Big Bang took place 13, 7 billion years ago.
• Small temperature differences led to varying densities of matter throughout the universe.
• Those destinies formed into clusters of matter and energy.
• The clusters continued to condense in a lump way and eventually formed the vast collection of stars called galaxies.
• Some galaxies condensed into a combination of stars called solar system.
• Scientist believe that the universe is still expanding at this moment.
• The scientific account does not mention any Creator. (14)

4.2 Abrahamic religions/Middle East religions

• The Creator is male.
• At first, only the Creator existed.
• The Creator made the universe from nothing.
• The process of creation took six days.
• Humans were made on the sixth day.
• There is one perfect God.
• He created the heaven and earth, and all that is in it.
• The first two humans were Adam and Eve. God made them from clay.
• God breathed His spirit into Adam, and he came to life.
• These humans lived in a perfect Garden of Eden. (12)

4.3 Hinduism views on the Theory of Evolution

• Hinduism does not have a problem with the Big Bag Theory.
• To Hinduism Religion, the universe is the creator.
• The creator has existed and will exist for all times.
• The creator has no limitations and, therefore, is not a “He or She” or anything else.
• The creator is simple a creator.
• The creator exists in the active or passive state.
• The passive state is a state of rest when nothing happens.
• At rest the universe has no form and is undifferentiated, and is sort of “flat” all over.
• After a long time, the creator becomes active.
• This is when parts of the universe look and are different from other parts and the creation began.
• Humans are the byproduct of the dance. (14)

4.4 Darwin’s theory of evolution:

• Darwin’s theory of evolution provided an alternative explanation of creation which often differs from the Abrahamic religious explanation of creation.
• The theory also provided an explanation that did not require the idea of an intelligent designer.
• The theory of evolution explains the development of life from a form simple to its most complex
• The development includes the evolution of humans through primitive stages to modern humans.

Darwin’s theory consists of four ideas:

• Species contain a great variety of differences.
• Both the world and species change over time.
• In the fight for survival the better adapted variation will be favoured while those that are not fit will struggle to survive.
• A species may gradually change its form and become more complex by developing along a path of successful variation.
• According to Charles Darwin humans evolved from apes. (10) [50]

QUESTION 5
5.1 5.1.1 The Causes of HIV/Aids:

• HIV/Aids.is still one of the evils of our society
• Unprotected sex
• Sleeping around
• Multiple partners
• Rape
• Belief that a virgin can cure HIV/Aids
• Overcrowded prisons
  (Any relevant answers should be credited) (14)

5.1.2 Factors contributing to how it is spread:

• hrough breast-feeding
•  Multiple partners
• Sharing the same needles and scissors
• Unprotected sex
• In some cases, it can be spread through car accidents
  (Any relevant answer should be credited.) (12)

5.1.3 Solutions to fight the spread of HIV/Aids

• No sex before marriage.
• Monogamy is encouraged
• Faithfulness to one partner is encouraged.
• Adultery is condemned
• It opens the way to other evils.
  (Any relevant answers can be credited.) (10)

5.1.4 Practical steps

• Love, compassion, responsibility, dignity and a non-judge mentalism towards people living with HIV/Aids.
• Education and openness around sex and sexuality.
• Condemning discrimination against people living with HIV/Aids.
• Recognising unity in diversity.
• Encouraging open discussion and dialogue around sensitive issues.
• Religious leaders of all communities to educate their followers about HIV/Aids so that people living with the disease would not be discriminated against.
• The religious leaders should put pressure on the government to provide more access to treatment to those that are affected.
  (Any relevant facts can be credited.) (14)[50]

TOTAL: 150