RELIGION STUDIES
GRADE 12
PAPER 2 
NSC PAST PAPERS AND MEMOS
SEPTEMBER 2017

MEMORANDUM 

QUESTION 1 
1.1 Relevant introduction 

• One of the pressing issues in South Africa today is HIV and Aids pandemic  which is claiming the lives of many South Africans.
• In May 2003, religious communities and organisations met to discuss ways  in which it could address the problem of HIV and Aids at the first  conference of the religion.
• It must be treated with all the sensitivity it deserves.
• It calls for love and compassion. (8) 

1.2 Explain the impact of HIV/Aids on South African society. 

• There is a high rate of death of young people in the country.
• It causes family breakdown if one member is infected, because every  member of the family becomes affected.
• It affects the morals of the society (values and attitudes change).
• School dropout rate increases.
• Family structures are weakened (child-headed family).
• It causes financial strain on the economy, the government spend more  money which causes unequal distribution of funds.
• It causes people to be trapped in a cycle of poverty.
• It causes unemployment (sometimes people are hired on their health  status).
• It causes more suffering and make people feel guilty, low self-esteem, lack  of confidence and trust. (16) 

1.3 Practical strategies or steps for religious organisations to combat  HIV/Aids: 

• Organised workshops to teach and make people aware of the epidemic.
• Educate members and communities on religious teachings about  contraception.
• Provide counselling for people infected and affected.
• Awareness campaigns should be planned.
• We must all learn from successful anti-aids campaigns, e.g. in Uganda,  religious organisations and government worked together to bring about  moral regeneration.
• Sex outside a stable relationship was made taboo.
• Faith-based organisations, all work together to convey the message of  abstinence. 
• Sex within marriage only.
  (Any relevant facts should be credited.) (14)

1.4 Do you think that religious organisations are currently succeeding in the  struggle against HIV/Aids? 
YES 

• The increased rate of attendance in different religious organisation through  their different healing strategies and life style contributes to the struggle  against HIV and Aids.
• Awareness campaigns organised by different religious groups.
• Home-based organisations run by different religious organisations are  seen operating.
• Religious groups are working with the government as joint force for  effective implementation of strategies.
• Most established safe house are organised by religious organisations in  order to take care of orphans.
• Seminars to raise awareness are organised by different religious groups.
• Counselling and help desks are operating effectively to bring help to  communities.
• Religious groups are seen doing outreach and giving hand outs to families  for them to eat and wear. 

NO 

• People go to religious organisations only when things are bad, and  experiencing difficulties.
• Religious organisations cannot do it alone without funding.
• It becomes difficult for the organisation to attend to large numbers.
• Statistics show that the infection rate is still very high compared to other  African countries. 
• Religious organisations are too fragmented to be effective in the struggle.
• Religious organisations should make more input onto government policy  via the National Religious Leaders Forum (NRLF).
  (This is an open-ended question. The learners should be credited for the  responses that are relevant even when the strategies are drawn from more  than one religion.) (12)

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QUESTION 2 

2.1 Central teachings of any one religion: Buddhism is used as an example. 
2.1.1 Nature of the world: 

• The wold is just one of millions of worlds.
• In each of these worlds, a Buddha will rediscover the true nature of  beings.
• Buddhism flourishes for thousands of years and then it slowly dies  out.
• Another man will try to understand why people suffer and he  becomes the next Buddha.
• Each cycle has a Buddha. (10)

2.1.2 Nature of divinity: 

• Most forms of Buddhism accept that powerful beings exist, whom  we call god.
• Buddhists teach that everything is impermanent, even the gods. 
• Each Buddhist must find enlightenment alone. 
• They follow the Buddha’s instruction.
• They may pray to the local deity. (10) 

2.1.3 Place and responsibility of humanity in the world: 

• Being born as human is very rare and precious.
• Humanity is the only condition in which enlightenment is possible. 
• The primary responsibility of every humans is to become  enlightened.
• One should share this way of enlightenment with others.
• They are actively engaged in the field of nuclear disarmament,  anti-war efforts and ecological action. (10)

2.2 Normative sources: 
2.2.1 Inspiration: 

• Refers to the breath (power, knowledge) of an extra-ordinary  being or power, e.g. a deity taking over a person and inspiring  him or her with divine knowledge.
• Most religions have founding figures who were inspired by a  higher power or wisdom, examples are Abraham, Moses,  Confucius, the Buddha, Jesus Christ, Prophet Muhammad and  Baha’u’llah.
• The inspiration of those figures is accepted by their followers as  having been direct and immediate.
• They are believed to have stood face to face with God.
• Such immediate contact with a dimension beyond everyday life  lies at the root of African religion.
  (The candidate should be credited for any relevant responses other  than above answers.) (10) 

2.2.2 Sacred book: 

• Writing entered the religious scene about 4000 years ago.
• Since then it has played an ever increasing role.
• The difference between oral and written is not merely one of  medium – tradition became more fixed as a result of writings.
• Oral traditions which can run parallel to written tradition are very  fluid, but once it is written down, it becomes established.
• In religions of the book (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) sacred  scriptures play a key role in teachings.
  (The above answers are a guide, the candidates could include more  points, and therefore should be credited for relevant responses.) (10)

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QUESTION 3 
3.1 Theory of evolution: 
Darwin’s theory consist mainly of the following ideas: 

• Species contain a great variety of minor differences.
• Both the world and species change over time.
• In the fight for survival, better adapted variations will be favoured, while  those that are not will struggle to survive.
• In this way a species may gradually change its form and become more  complex-by developing along a path of successful variations.
• All forms of life are connected and go back to a common origin.
• The different types of life are absolutely different but occur on one single  continuum.
  (Any relevant answers should be credited.) (12) 

3.2 Response of any ONE religion to Darwin’s theory 
(Buddhism is used as an example) 

• Many Buddhists argue that the theory of evolution and Buddhism are in  agreement.
• There is no account of creation in Buddhism.
• Buddhists do not mind what scientists say about the universe and people  came into being.
• They believe that all life involves constant transformation and evolution.
• Buddhists believe in evaluation long times ago before Western scientists  did.
• Buddhism also believe in the continuity of all living beings.
• They have no problem with the idea of human beings having evolved from  more primitive primate forms.
• Their belief is Nirvana is a good example of life transformation and  evolution.
• Buddhism has no intelligent designer who is responsible for creation, that  is why they have no problem with evolution.
• Buddhism believes in insubstantiality (no part of a human is immortal), so  they do not have a problem with evolution. (18) 

3.3 Big Bang Theory 

• The big bang theory is currently the most popular scientific theory about  the creation of the universe.
• The scientific theory maintains that before the big bang it was not known  what existed before.
• After the big bang, the universe appeared.
• It is also filled out to enormous size.
• The big bang occurred 15 billion years ago.
• Small temperatures differences in the first explosion led to varying  densities throughout the universe.
• The clusters continued to condense in a lumpy way and eventually formed  that vast collection of stars we call galaxies.
• Our earth is part of the solar system. (20)

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QUESTION 4 
4.1 History and work of organisations that have been done outside of the African  continent. 
World Parliament of Religions (W.P.R.) 

• The initiative started in 1983.
• The Unitarian and Universalistic churches were the main drivers of the  initiative.
• Western and Eastern religions were represented. 
• Swami Vivekananda introduced Hindu thought processes to the West.
• This was a crucial stage in inter-religious dialogue, as previously Eastern  religion was not understood\accepted as a religion by the Western world. 

The World Conference of Religious for Peace (W.C.R.P.) 

• It was formed in 1970.
• It was made up of leaders from all religions.
• Its common goal is peace.
• The body believes that its inter-religious relationships are the best way to  bring people of deference races and classes and cultures together, for a  common goal.
• This is because religions organise people into cohesive bodies that are  committed to helping others in need. 

World Council of Churches (W.C.C.) 

• Founded in Amsterdam in 1948.
• It is purely Christian.
• It re-affirms the trinity of God. (14) 

4.2 Internal Differences of One Religion [For the purpose of this memorandum  Hinduism is discussed] 
4.2.1 Governance 

• Traditional Hinduism has no central control.
• Reformers work with the existing system.
• There was no breakaway movement.
• Traditional governance was centred on home and local temple.
• In India, each temple is independent in terms of governance.
• Local priests determines rituals to be practised within that  community.
• Today in countries with major Hindu presence outside of India,  there are structured Hindu movement.
  (Any relevant answer should be credited.) (12)

4.2.2 Practices 

• In traditional Hinduism performance of domestic and temple ritual  is obligatory for all.
• Much time is taken up by these rituals.
• Hindu believes engage themselves in the lightening of lamps and  the correct preparation of food. 
• In Neo-Hindu movements, less emphasis is placed on rituals.
• In Neo-Hindu movement emphasis is place more on individual and  group devotion (bhakti). 
• Devotion is also directed to a specific form of God.
• In many cases such as devotional sessions involve a formal ritual  element.
• Worships takes place at home and in the temple.
  (Any relevant factors should be credited.) (14) 

4.3 Do you think secularism is gaining popularity in the world? Give reasons for  your answer. 
YES 

• Secularism is the belief that the government and morality should not be  based on religion.
• Most Morden Western democracies are secular state. 
• Misconduct by religious leaders causes people to be disillusioned with  religion. 
• The split between the Roman Catholic and Protestants was one of the  causes for the rise of speculation in the West.
• Most people thought that society would only be peaceful if there is  separation between religion and the state.
• The department of contributed to the spread of secularism as more people  became literate.
  (Any relevant answer should be credited.) (10)

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QUESTION 5 
5.1 Hermeneutical principles 

• Grammar and historical context
• Clearest meanings
• Plan, purpose and context
• Meaning of words
• Figurative language 
• Other sacred text (10)

5.2 5.2.1 Causes of environmental destruction: 
Environmental destruction is caused by irresponsible use of  chemicals (pesticides and plant fertilisers). 

• It is also caused by the excess burning of fossil fuels.
• This increases the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere.
• Excessive increases in carbon emissions from factories and  transport result in the ‘greenhouse’ effect/global warming.
• This raises the temperature of the earth’s atmosphere, resulting in  climate change.
• It is also caused by some human activities such as dumping of  waste products in open areas (land pollution).
• Improper methods of farming also harm the environment, by  causing soil erosion.
  (Any other relevant response must be credited.) (14) 

5.2.2 Impacts of environmental destruction: 

• The weather and climate have changed (global warming).
• There are more frequent storms, droughts and floods across our  planet.
• Desertification is increasing, especially in Africa.
• This is resulting in food shortages.
• The ozone layer has developed a hole which causes the  temperature to increase.
• More people are dying yearly because of diseases caused by air  pollution.
• The seriousness of diseases have increased because our bodies  fail to adapt to the ever-changing environment.
• Some species are becoming extinct, as a result of climate change. (Any other relevant response must be credited.) (12) 

5.3 Roles of the present legislation in encouraging healthy inter-religious relations  in SA: 

• In 1997, President Nelson Mandela called on religious communities to  work together to build a free and just SA.
• The coalition was called the National Religious Leaders Forum (NRLF) ∙ A moral summit was held in October 1999. 
• Concerns were poverty, children and women abuse, prevention of HIV and  Aids, etc.
• The South African constitution was adopted in 1996.
• It establishes SA as a secular state, with no state religion.
• It forbids discrimination on the basis of religion or beliefs.
• Religious observance may be conducted at state institutions provided that:
  • There are conducted on an equitable basis.
  • Attendance at them is free and voluntary.
    (Any relevant factors should be credited.) (14)

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TOTAL: 150