RELIGION STUDIES PAPER 1
GRADE 12
NOVEMBER 2020
NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

  1. This question paper consists of SECTION A and SECTION B.
  2. SECTION A: COMPULSORY
    SECTION B: Answer any TWO questions in this section.
  3. Read ALL the questions carefully.
  4. Start EACH question on a NEW page.
  5. The length of the answers must be in accordance with the marks allocated to each question.
  6. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in this question paper.
  7. Write neatly and legibly.

SECTION A (COMPULSORY)
QUESTION 1

1.1 Various options are provided as possible answers to the following questions. Choose the answer and write only the letter (A–D) next to the question numbers (1.1.1 to 1.1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, e.g. 1.1.11 D.
1.1.1 This religion teaches that there is suffering in the world because of unfulfilled human desires:

  1. Bahá'i Faith
  2. Judaism
  3. Buddhism
  4. Islam (1)

1.1.2 'The One produces the Two. The Two produces the Three and the Three produces the ten thousand things' is a quote from the …

  1. Talmud.
  2. Tao Te Ching.
  3. Book of Mormon.
  4. Vedas. (1)

1.1.3 The subdivisions of Judaism differ mainly in respect of …

  1. belief in the Torah.
  2. teaching about Yahweh.
  3. governance.
  4. practice. (1)

1.1.4 'Do unto others as you would have them do unto you' is known as …

  1. liberation theology.
  2. the golden rule.
  3. the Charter of Equality.
  4. the Great Commandment. (1)

1.1.5 Smartism, Shaktism, Shaivism, Vaishnavism in Hinduism are the …

  1. four castes.
  2. names of deities.
  3. four subdivisions.
  4. four aims of life. (1)

1.1.6 This religion teaches that there is no plan or purpose to creation:

  1. Islam
  2. Taoism
  3. The Bahá'i' Faith
  4. Judaism (1)

1.1.7 The collection of the teachings of the Prophet Mohammed is known as …

  1. the Qur'an.
  2. Revelations.
  3. the Shahada.
  4. the Hadith. (1)

1.1.8 'We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by the Creator with certain inalienable rights …' is a quote from the …

  1. Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
  2. Charter of Compassion.
  3. United States Declaration of Independence.
  4. Freedom Charter. (1)

1.1.9 The title 'Buddha' means …

  1. Majesty.
  2. Enlightened One.
  3. Chosen One.
  4. Lord of All. (1)

1.1.10 The youngest of the following religions is …

  1. Buddhism.
  2. Christianity.
  3. Islam.
  4. Judaism. (1)

1.2 Complete the following sentences by filling in the missing word. Write only the word next to the question numbers (1.2.1 to 1.2.6) in the ANSWER BOOK.
1.2.1 The interpretation of sacred texts is known as … (1)
1.2.2 In the second millennium Christians celebrated … years since the birth of Jesus. (1)
1.2.3 For followers of … it is important to live effortlessly in harmony with the path of the universe. (1)
1.2.4 When Martin Luther pinned his ninety-five theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg in Germany, he sparked off the … (1)
1.2.5 … was an Indian leader who is famous for his teaching of non-violent resistance. (1)
1.2.6 When a religion describes its god as omnipotent, it means they believe their god is … (1)
1.3 Choose an item from COLUMN B that matches a description in COLUMN A. Write only the letter (A–H) next to the question numbers (1.3.1 to 1.3.6) in the ANSWER BOOK. Do NOT use any letter more than ONCE.

COLUMN A  COLUMN B 
1.3.1 A South African clergyman who was awarded the Nobel Prize for peace
1.3.2 This treaty brought the religious wars of the Reformation to an end
1.3.3 A person who is against orthodox religious beliefs
1.3.4 The first organisation formed in South Africa to do research specifically on African Traditional Religion
1.3.5 One who understands something exactly as it is written, without being open to interpretation
1.3.6 A rite of passage 
  1. Department of Religious Studies
  2. literalist
  3. Westphalia
  4. Icamagu
  5. Desmond Tutu
  6. initiation
  7. heretic
  8. Chief Albert Luthuli

(6 x 1) (6)
1.4 Choose the word in EACH list below that does NOT match the rest. Write down the word next to the question numbers (1.4.1 to 1.4.6) in the ANSWER BOOK and give a reason why it does NOT fit.
EXAMPLE: Banana; Apple; Potato; Grape
ANSWER: 1.2.5 Potato. The others are all fruit.
1.4.1 Krishna; Vedanta; Vishnu; Shiva (2)
1.4.2 Ludwig Feuerbach; Richard Dawkins; Pope Benedict XVI; Karl Marx (2)
1.4.3 Ramayana; Mahayana; Theravada; Vajrayana (2)
1.4.4 Intlabi; Isangoma; Injoli; Ilima (2)
1.4.5 Halakhah; Vedas; Upanishads; Bhagavad Gita (2)
1.4.6 Tao Te Ching; Non-being; Ten Commandments; Unpredictability (2)
1.5 Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. Write 'true' or 'false' next to the question numbers (1.5.1 to 1.5.5) in the ANSWER BOOK. Give a reason why if the answer is FALSE.
1.6 Write TWO facts on EACH of the following concepts:
1.6.1 Allegory (2)
1.6.2 Dogma (2)
1.6.3 Pali Canon (2)
1.5.1 The majority of Muslims worldwide belong to the Sunni branch. (2)
1.5.2 Theravada Buddhism is described as esoteric because its secrets are revealed only to those who have been initiated into the tradition. (2)
1.5.3 Tripitaka, meaning 'three baskets', is a sacred book of Hinduism. (2)
1.5.4 A mantra is a religious text. (2)
1.5.5 Shinto, a religion which includes the worship of nature, originated in China. (2)
TOTAL SECTION A: 50

SECTION B
Answer any TWO questions in this section.
QUESTION 2
2.1 Give the meaning of EACH of the following words, in the context of religion:
2.1.1 Ideology (2)
2.1.2 Doctrine (2)
2.1.3 Creed (2)
2.1.4 Ethics (2)
2.1.5 Identity (2)
2.2 Answer the questions below.
2.2.1 Name any TWO of the Five Pillars and state the impact of these on the life of a Muslim. (8)
2.2.2 Name any TWO of the Ten Commandments and state the impact of these on the life of a Jew or Christian. (8)
2.3 Compare how teachings are transferred from generation to generation in African Traditional Religion and in Islam. (12)
2.4 Discuss TWO unique teachings of EACH of the following religions:
2.4.1 Judaism (4)
2.4.2 The Bahá'i Faith (4)
2.4.3 Buddhism (4)
[50]

QUESTION 3
3.1 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
DOES THE EAST MEET THE WEST?
According to Professor Sharma, a Hindu professor of comparative religion, the concept of religious freedom articulated in Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), presupposes a certain concept of religion itself, a concept associated with Western religion and culture.
A different concept of religion, associated with Eastern and especially the Hindu religion and culture, leads to a different concept of religious freedom.
Unless human rights discourse is able to harmonise these two concepts of religious freedom, ironically, the clash of the two concepts might ultimately result in the restriction of religious freedom.
3.1.1 What is the difference between the Western and the Eastern view of religious freedom? (12)
3.1.2 According to Professor Sharma, why is it important that there should be a common and unified understanding of religious freedom? (2)
3.2 State THREE ways in which freedom of religion in South Africa is protected. (6)
3.3 Give TWO possible disadvantages of the following:
3.3.1 A lack of freedom of religion (4)
3.3.2 Freedom of religion (4)
3.4 Study the statement below and answer the questions that follow.
Many religions have teachings about religious freedom, but there are often differences between teachings and reality.
3.4.1 With reference to any ONE religion, discuss TWO of its teachings that promote religious freedom. (4)
3.4.2 Describe any TWO religious practices that illustrate religious freedom. (4)
3.4.3 Give ONE example of religious intolerance. (2)
3.5 Why is it important to be aware of both our rights and our responsibilities regarding human rights? (2)
3.6 Choose any ONE religion and discuss its teachings that promote equality. (10)
[50]

QUESTION 4
4.1 Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.
RELIGIOUS BIAS IN THE MEDIA
There are a number of failings with how religion is represented in the mainstream media.
The unfair treatment of Muslims by certain journalists is one example of unfair reporting. In particular, this media attention to religion often consists of stories about 'extremist' Muslims, ignoring the high levels of extremism in other religions.
The story of good Christian/bad Muslim is told by what is printed, as well as by what is omitted. For example, Norwegian mass murderer, Anders Breivik, is not described by the media as a Christian terrorist, although he identified himself as a Christian and would-be protector of European Christianity.
The massacre at Srebrenica in 1995 is another example. This is widely described by the media as the killing of 8 000 Bosnian Muslim men and boys by Serbs. The Serb military and political leaders charged with war crimes are not referred to as Christian terrorists.
4.1.1 Give any TWO examples of biased reporting that appear in the article. (4)
4.1.2 Rewrite the TWO examples you have given in the answer to QUESTION 4.1.1 WITHOUT any religious bias. (4)
4.1.3 What is an extremist? (2)
4.1.4 Besides Islam and Christianity, give an example of religious extremism in other religions. (2)
4.1.5 Refer to the passage and explain what is meant by unfair treatment of Muslims by certain journalists. (4)
4.1.6 What should the mainstream media do to avoid religious bias? (10)
4.1.7 State any TWO steps that religious organisations can employ to curb media bias against religion. (4)
4.2 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
IN THE NAME OF RELIGION
The Commission for the Promotion and Protection of Cultural, Religious and Linguistic Communities (CRL Rights Commission) announced that it would hold a national religious summit for all religious leaders to attend in a bid to find a way to fix the wrongs being perpetrated. Convener of the commission, Reverend Ray McCauley, held a media briefing on Friday. Various church leaders, including the secretary general of the Shembe Church and leaders of the Zion Christian Church, attended the briefing. Religious leaders say they cannot apologise enough for terrible things that have been happening in the name of religion. McCauley said the decision was taken to call a summit after the commission investigated reports that religious leaders were violating congregants' rights. He said results from the investigation were 'embarrassing'. 'We have seen the exploitation of people, sexual abuse of people, emotional abuse of people. All these and many other things have put us in a very bad light.' The summit is one step by religious leaders in their efforts to fight the commercialisation of religion and the abuse of people's belief systems.
4.2.1 Explain what is meant by the commercialisation of religion. (2)
4.2.2 Why is it easy for religious leaders to take advantage of their congregants? (6)
4.2.3 In the article, what is meant by a summit? (2)
4.2.4 According to the article, what problems are faced by religions? (6)
4.2.5 Do you think that the summit will achieve meaningful solutions to the problems highlighted in the article? Give reasons for your answer. (4)
[50]

QUESTION 5
5.1 Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
Religious communities have become leaders in peace education, recognising that while differences of belief have contributed to conflicts throughout history, religious people on many occasions have shown a remarkable ability for reconciliation and service to others.
Name TWO ways in which EACH of the following religious leaders has promoted interreligious relationships:
5.1.1 Swami Vivekananda (4)
5.1.2 The Dalai Lama (4)
5.2 The Programme for Christian-Muslim Relations in Africa (PROCMURA) and the Interfaith Action for Peace in Africa (IFAPA) are two interreligious organisations in Africa.
5.2.1 What is the difference in the goals of the two organisations? (4)
5.2.2 State FOUR achievements of the IFAPA. (8)
5.2.3 Give ONE function of the National Religious Leaders' Forum. (2)
5.3 Explain the following terms with reference to interreligious relationships:
5.3.1 Syncretism (2)
5.3.2 Pluralism (2)
5.3.3 Inclusivism (2)
5.4 Give ONE example of an intra-religious organisation (one that operates within a single religion) and state TWO of its functions. (6)
5.5 What does African Traditional Religion teach about intermediaries? (10)
5.6 Hinduism teaches about the Ashramas or four stages of life. Name THREE of these Ashramas. (6)
[50]
TOTAL SECTION B: 100
GRAND TOTAL: 150

Last modified on Thursday, 24 March 2022 07:01