RELIGIOUS STUDIES
PAPER 2
GRADE 12
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2017
INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION
QUESTION 1
Read the extracts below and answer the questions that follow.
All religions aim to balance the rights of the individual and the rights of the community. It is when this balance is upset that all types of social challenges arise. |
This need for balance is illustrated in the media article below.
Eastern Cape leaders want answers from Nelson Mandela's grandson, Inkosi Zwelivelile 'Mandla' Mandela, about why he reportedly converted to Islam when he married a Muslim woman. [Source: www.Timeslive.co.za/Local2016/02] |
1.1 Give reasons why Eastern Cape leaders are not happy about the marriage between Inkosi 'Mandla' Mandela and the Muslim woman. (10)
1.2 What do you think the Inkosi would say to justify his interreligious marriage? (20)
1.3 Choose any ONE religion and discuss its teachings about the rights of the individual and the rights of the community. (20)
[50]
QUESTION 2
Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
It is true that in most religions, different interpretations of beliefs exist. This leads to major differences that sometimes culminate in the formation of strands or branches and other divisions, for example different denominations in Christianity. [Adapted from Shuters Top Class Religion Studies Grade 12] |
2.1 Choose ONE religion and discuss the internal differences under the following headings:
2.1.1 Internal differences concerning beliefs (18)
2.1.2 Internal differences concerning governance (18)
2.2 With reference to the central teachings of any ONE religion, discuss the place and responsibility of humanity in the world. (14)
[50]
QUESTION 3
3.1 Discuss the importance of the following in the context of religion:
3.1.1 Inspiration (10)
3.1.2 Oral tradition (10)
3.2 Compare the role played by religious teachings in the Abrahamic religions with the role played by religious teachings in the Eastern religions. (14)
3.3 State FOUR hermeneutical principles and explain EACH of them. (16)
[50]
QUESTION 4
Study the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
Scientists refer to the attempt to understand the evolution of the universe as 'cosmology'. Currently the most popular scientific theory of the universe is the so-called Big Bang theory. [Adapted from Shuters Top Class Religion Studies Grade 12] |
4.1 Write SEVEN facts about the Big Bang theory. (14)
4.2 Explain why some religions have rejected Darwin's theory of evolution. (22)
4.3 Discuss the views of Buddhism on the theory of evolution. (14)
[50]
QUESTION 5
Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.
When people become actively secular, they find that they need to put forward a theory of their own, sometimes to replace religion. [Adapted from Religion Studies Grade 12, Steyn] |
5.1 Explain the term secular humanism with reference to the statement above. (10)
5.2 Discuss the historical origin of Western secular humanism. (20)
5.3 Describe any ONE secular world view and state whether you agree or disagree with its teachings. Give reasons for your answer. (20)
[50]
TOTAL: 150