GRAAD 12
NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE
GRADE 12
RELIGION STUDIES P2
FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015
MEMORANDUM
MARKS: 150
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Religion Studies Grade 12 P2 Supplementary 2015 Memo (Eng)
Grade 12 Religion Studies Paper 2 memorandum from the Supplementary Exam 2015 (English), 12 pages. Read online or download the free PDF.
Religion Studies · Grade 12 · Supplementary Exam · 2015 · English. Memorandum, 12 pages. Read online or download the PDF.
- Subject
- Religion Studies
- Grade
- Grade 12
- Language
- English
- Document type
- Memorandum
- Year
- 2015
- Exam period
- Supplementary Exam
- Paper
- 2
- Curriculum
- CAPS
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- 12
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This exam
Supplementary Exam 2015
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Religion Studies/P2 2 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
QUESTION 1
1.1 Negative impact
• The government uses the tax payer's money to support the pregnant
teenagers.
• The government allocates specific amounts for each pregnant learner in
the schools, which leads to fruitless expenditure due to school drop outs.
• It also costs huge amounts of money since public health care is
expensive in South Africa.
• Less than 2% of teenage mothers earn a degree by the time they reach
the age of 30.
• This leads to a significant amount of lost earning, which impacts
negatively towards the economy of the country.
• Teenage pregnancy also leads to the high rate of sexually transmitted
infections.
• The government spends more money on campaigns against sexually
transmitted diseases.
• Teenage pregnancy further leads to the high crime rate.
• Most of the children born out of stable families become street kids, which
compels the government to care and support them.
• Teenage pregnancy also leads to the increase in the child-headed
families and substance abuse.
• The economy of the country is negatively affected as the government has
to budget for all these unplanned circumstances.
NOTE: Any other relevant points should be awarded marks. (20)
1.2 EXAMPLE: CHRISTIANITY
• Thou shall not commit adultery: In Christianity, sex before marriage is
forbidden.
• Teenagers must abstain from any sexual activities.
• Your bodies are the Temples of the Holy Spirit: This means they must be
responsible for any sexual act as their bodies belong to God.
• The youth are expected to preserve themselves and remain untouched
until they get married.
• It is a sin to engage in sexual activities and have babies before marriage.
EXAMPLE: AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGION
• The communal way of life is central to the African Traditional Religion.
• The youth are expected to behave in accordance with the customs and
values of the community.
• It is a taboo in the African culture for a teenager to become pregnant
outside marriage.
• In order to cleanse the family and the community, the boy has to pay for
the damages of the pregnancy caused.
• As a way of punishment, the boy's family is expected to pay a cow to the
chief (Inkosi).
NOTE: Viewpoints of any other religion must be credited. (10)
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Religion Studies/P2 3 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
1.3 Practical strategy:
• Religious organisations must start sex education among the youth.
• Debate the ABC approach to sexuality and compare it with their religious
teachings on sexuality.
• Teach rights and responsibilities as well as respect for males and
females.
• Sex before marriage must be discouraged and regarded as a major sin in
their religions.
• Religious initiation (rites of passage) should be encouraged among the
youth.
• Religious organisations must encourage their youth to participate in
health and sports youth programmes.
NOTE: Any valid points should be awarded marks. (10)
1.4 NO
• According to media reports the rate of teenage pregnancy is increasing
even in the schools.
• In spite of various intervention programmes by the government and
religious organisations, there is no indication of a decrease.
• The statistics released by the Department of Education show that
pregnant learners increased in the previous year.
• In 2006, the statistics reveal that teenage pregnancy, jumped from 1 169
to 2 336 in Gauteng alone according to Love Life Statistics.
• One in three girls had a baby by the age of 20.
• According to the Medical Research Council 16% of pregnant teenage
girls are HIV positive.
YES
• The latest statistics reveal a decrease in the rate of teenage pregnancy,
especially in rural schools.
• In 2010, 201 Grade 3 learners were pregnant in Gauteng alone.
However, that number was reduced to 74 learners the following year.
• The intervention programmes that are driven by the Department of
education in conjunction with other government departments are
beginning to bear fruit.
• Programmes such as Love Life, The Baby Project, and My Life My Future
have been implemented in order to address the problems of teenage
pregnancy.
• The Reed Dance in KwaZulu-Natal encourages girls to preserve their
virginity.
• In the Islamic community, the rate of teenage pregnancy is low since
there are strong moral teachings on sexual behaviour.
• The Christian religion provides a variety of youth programmes where the
youth are moulded in various aspects of right living such as sexuality and
sexual behaviour. These programmes play a significant role in the
reduction of teenage pregnancy.
• Teenage pregnancy is low or non-existent in communities that have
strong religious convictions. (10)
[50]
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Religion Studies/P2 4 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
QUESTION 2
2.1 2.1.1. EXAMPLE: C HRISTIANITY
Catholicism
• In Catholicism and Protestantism, it is believed that God is
made up of three equal but separate parts.
• This is referred to as the Trinity.
• In Catholicism, salvation is based in rituals such as Baptism,
Confession, etc.
• The Catholic Church sees itself as the only original Christian
church, founded by Christ
Eastern Orthodox Church
• In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the addition of the 'Son'
rejected, as they believe that the Holy Spirit is superior.
• The Eastern Orthodox Church believes that it is the only
original church founded by Christ and his disciples.
Protestantism
• Protestants also believe in the Trinity.
• In Protestantism, faith is seen as the key to salvation.
EXAMPLE: ISLAM
Sunni Islam
• The Sunni sect believes that all the teachings contained in the
Books of Hadith are equally important.
• Sunnis follow the teachings of scholars from the 7th and 8th
centuries.
• Sunnis do not accept that a caliph can come exclusively from
the Prophet's family.
Shia Islam
• The Shia gives more importance to the Hadith reported by Ali
and the Prophet's daughter Fatima.
• The Shia follows the teachings and opinions only of a living
scholar.
• The Shia believes that the last caliph from the Prophet's family
was hidden in a cave, and will one day reappear as leader. (10)
2.1.2 EXAMPLE: CHRISTIANITY
Catholicism
• Political control is traditional and seen in Rome.
• The head of the Catholic Church is the Pope.
• The first Pope is said to be St. Peter.
• The Catholic Church has many orders of monks, priests, friars
and nuns.
• All Catholics are governed by the Vatican.
• The parish is an area or district with a particular church and
priest.
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Religion Studies/P2 5 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
Eastern Orthodox Church
• Political control was traditionally in Constantinople.
• They are found in the Middle East, parts of Africa, Greece and
Russia.
• The church structure comprises of priests and bishops.
• There is no single leader.
• Authority within the church is in the hands of a group of
bishops.
• A diocese is a group of parishes under the leadership of the
bishop.
Protestantism
• This movement was started in 1517 by a German monk,
Martin Luther.
• The churches are ruled by the ordained ministers and bishops
or elected elders.
• The overall rule is by higher authority such as a synod or
General Assembly, chaired by a presiding bishop.
• In the Protestant churches, each church is independent.
• The churches are not responsible to any higher authority than
the congregation.
EXAMPLE: ISLAM
Sunni Islam
• There is no clergy in Sunni Islam.
• Any Muslim can serve on the community boards.
• The governance is community based.
• The scholars of Islam and community members serve on the
governing boards of mosques, madrassas and schools.
• In governance the Sunnah of the Prophet is observed.
Shi'a Islam
• The Shi'a Muslims revere the descendants of the Prophet
Muhammad.
• They believe that the descendants have a divine right to lead
the Muslims.
• They reserve the title Imam for certain past leaders who were
believed to be chosen by God.
• The governance is in the hands of mullahs.
• The Mullahs also have considerable political influence.
NOTE: Other differences in governance must be credited.
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Religion Studies/P2 6 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
2.1.3 EXAMPLE: CHRISTIANITY
Catholicism
• Celibacy among the clergy is mandatory.
• Practices include fasting during the Lent, to observe the
crucifixion of Jesus.
• Penance is the paying of penalty for sinning.
• This penance is determined at the time of confession.
• Pilgrimage to holy lands (e.g. the Vatican) and meditation are
key practices for Catholics.
• The most important practice is receiving of the Eucharist.
Eastern Orthodox Church
• Clergy are not celibate, and are allowed to marry
• Devotion is seen as more important than right doctrine
• Baptism is by immersion.
• This is followed by anointment (Chrismation).
Protestantism
• Ordination of women is a Protestant practice.
• They conduct healing through prophecy.
• Priests and ministers do not have to be celibate and they are
allowed to marry.
NOTE: Other differences in practices must be credited.
EXAMPLE: ISLAM
Shi'a Islam
• They are allowed to combine the five daily prayers to three.
• They practise 'mut'a' (temporary marriage).
• They practise self-mutilation on observance of the martyrdom
of Hussein, grandson of Prophet Muhammad.
• They undertake pilgrimage to Karbala in Iraq.
Sunni Islam
• Sunnis are not allowed to combine the five daily prayers.
• Mut'a is not permitted.
• All practices are according to the 'sunnah' (practices) of the
Prophet.
NOTE: Other differences in practices must be credited.
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Religion Studies/P2 7 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
2.2 EXAMPLE: AFRICAN TRADITIONAL RELIGIONS
• Oral tradition in ATR is very important than in any other religion since
they have no Sacred Books.
• The teachings are passed down from generation to generation through
the word of mouth.
• Oral tradition is taken as a normative source in ATR.
• Such traditions may be transmitted faithfully over hundreds or thousands
of years.
• This is reflected through myths, legends, stories, folk tales, song and
dance.
• This may also be reflected in rituals, proverbs, sayings and riddles.
• Some of the oral traditions are preserved in arts and culture, symbols and
emblems, shrines and sacred places
• Oral tradition is used to pass beliefs, creeds or dogmas.
• Although the ATR has been an oral tradition religion, some scholars have
started to write some basic beliefs of the religion.
• A book called Masiphakule has been written, although it is still in
progress.
• The book includes the beliefs, rite of passage, the history of religion
under colonial and apartheid oppression.
• The book also contains poetry of resistance and the moral teachings of
the African Traditional Religion.
EXAMPLE: HINDUISM
• In all religions the original message was passed on through the word of
mouth.
• Writing is a recent invention which took the place of oral tradition in
Hinduism.
• Oral tradition still plays an important role in Hinduism.
• Writing still runs parallel with oral tradition.
• Vedas are collections of traditional knowledge.
• The traditional knowledge has reached spiritual freedom or moksha.
• Rig-Veda is an anthology of religious poem and hymns that were recited
at sacrifices by the officiating priests and families.
• The collections (Samhitas) provide excellent illustrations of ancient
humanity's ability to conceptualise complex ideas.
• Upanishads which literally means sitting in front of a teacher and listening
to his teachings is also a good example of an oral tradition.
• The Mahabharata basically tells the story of conflict between two families,
king Barata and the Pandava brothers, which took place in Delhi.
• The Mahabharata is a good example of the role of oral tradition as it is a
record of conflict which took place many years ago before the invention of
writing.
NOTE: Any other relevant facts on other religions must be credited. (20)
[50]
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Religion Studies/P2 8 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
QUESTION 3
3.1 3.1.1 EXAMPLE: TAOISM
• Taoism has a very sophisticated idea about the nature of what
is called divinity.
• Tao means path travelled by stars and finally the path of the
universe.
• In Taoism all there is, is the universe and so all there is, is
divine.
• The workings of the universe are divine.
• Taoists suggest that the Tao cannot be described.
• The things that are seen and touched are 'being'.
• Unlimited divine is described as 'non-being'
• The non-being is the starting point of everything.
• Divine is huge and spacious since all that is created is held in
a vast bowl of emptiness.
• According to the Taoists everything in creation consists of two
kinds of forces: the yang is active, light, forceful, male, and the
yin is passive, dark and female.
EXAMPLE: CHRISTIANITY
• According to Christianity in the beginning there was nothing.
• They believed in the existence of a Supreme and Divine Being,
known as God.
• God manifested Himself as Three persons.
• God the Father as the Creator of the universe.
• God the Son, the Saviour and Liberator of humanity.
• God the Holy Spirit as Counsellor and Comforter in
Christianity.
NOTE: Any other relevant facts on other religions must be credited. (10)
3.1.2 EXAMPLE: TAOISM
• Humans are just a tiny, micro-cosmic by–product of the Tao's
creative activity.
• Humans are not special or in charge of the world.
• We are not needed to look after it.
• The world and the universe will continue whether human
continues or not.
• The world will take whatever shape the Tao gives it.
• Humans have a potential to destroy only a very small part of
the creation.
• Even if the part gets destroyed, the incredible and bountiful
creative activity of the Tao will continue.
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Religion Studies/P2 9 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
EXAMPLE: CHRISTIANITY
• Humans were created in the image of God.
• Adam and Eve were instructed to look after the Garden of
Eden and the whole creation.
• Humans are God's representatives on earth.
• They were appointed to look after His property.
• They are accountable to God.
NOTE: Any other relevant fact or facts on other religion must be
credited (10)
3.2 EXAMPLE: TAOISM
No
• According to Taoism, humans are responsible for any suffering.
• In order to avoid suffering they must align themselves with Tao.
• People are good and perfect to be in harmony with Tao, other people
and within themselves.
• Human beings must also be flexible to the way of the Tao.
• Human beings expected to follow their desires and plans to avoid
suffering.
EXAMPLE: CHRISTIANITY
Yes
• In the Book of Job, we find a story where a righteous man endures great
sufferings because of the evil spirits (Satan).
• Jesus healed the sick people who were suffering because of evil spirits.
• Some Christian Churches exercise exorcism where they chase away the
evil spirits.
• Due to high rate of evil forces (Satanism) pastors are currently been
invited to schools for support.
• According to the Christian teachings, evil and suffering are caused by
the devil.
NOTE: Relevant teachings from other religions must be credited. (10)
3.3 EXAMPLE: ISLAM
• A central teaching of Islam is that 'There is no god besides Allah, and
Muhammad is His messenger'
• In terms of 'clearest meaning', this teaching has a straightforward,
unambiguous meaning.
• The 'meanings of the words' are also unchanged, and devoid of any
specific context.
• The word 'ila' in Arabic refers not only to gods, but also to any other
object, philosophy or whim – all of these are negated.
• The interpretation of the teachings as contained in the Qur'an was initially
done by Prophet Muhammad himself.
• He explained the various attributes of God, e.g. god is all knowing, all
wise, most merciful.
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Religion Studies/P2 10 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
• He emphasised that his prophecies and his miracles are made possible
by God's grace, and what God reveals to him. The Prophet himself is not
all knowing.
• Even when the Prophet was taken on the Mi'raj (night journey) he is
referred to as God's servant.
• Belief in the Oneness of God is non-negotiable and must be complete.
• The Meccans asked the Prophet if they could worship their idols on only
one day of the year, and worship God on all the other days.
• He replied that this was not acceptable. This is an example of 'historical
context' which explains the oneness of God.
• The Prophet further emphasised that each of the Five Pillars was for
God's pleasure alone.
• Prayers offered with the intention of impressing people were a sign of
hypocrisy.
• Similarly, the giving of charity must be only for the purpose of earning
God's pleasure.
• After the passing away of the Prophet, interpretation of Qur'anic texts was
done by the companions of the Prophet.
• They explained verses by referring to other Qur'anic verses, as well as
the teachings of the Prophet.
EXAMPLE: CHRISTIANITY
• For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (John
3:16)
• Clearest meaning of this:
• Christians believe that God demonstrated His Love to human kind so that
they can leave their sins and turn back to Him
• Plan, purpose and context of this:
• To show that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was sent to die for
humankind, for the remission of their sins.
• The purpose is to show God's love to the world.
• Meaning of words of this:
• The word 'begotten' means that Jesus had God's attributes in Him.
• God gave up the Only Son He had to demonstrate His Love
• Figurative language means:
• The word 'World' does not mean the earth but it means humanity.
• Other sacred texts are:
• In the last prayer that Jesus had before His crucifixion He said, 'Father I
am coming to You' (John 17:2-5).He came from God. He is the Son of
God.
• 'He will be called the Everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.' (Isaiah 9:5)
• The prophet stated that Jesus is the Everlasting Father, so He is the Son
of God. (Isaiah 9:5)
NOTE: Hermeneutical principles specific to any other religion must be
credited, provided that these are applied to a central teaching from
that religion. (20)
[50]
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Religion Studies/P2 11 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
QUESTION 4
4.1 • Secularism is the belief that the government and morality should not be
exclusively based on religion.
• It advocates that there must be separation of the Church and the state.
• Most countries in Europe were ruled by the emperors, kings, queens or
other nobility who were subject to God.
• The fact that the Church was influential both politically and socially,
contributed to the rise of secular humanism
• Wars broke out between states which had different religious belief
systems.
• People were tired of wars and started to look for alternative forms of
government.
• Under the influence of the enlightened philosophers, such as Hobbes and
Hume, secular humanism spread rapidly in Europe and America.
• They came with suggestions that there was a need to test religious
beliefs, and not simply accept faith.
• Reasoning, evidence and scientific methods of enquiry were promoted.
• Secular world views such as humanism, materialism, agnosticism and
atheism emerged. (12)
4.2 EXAMPLE: HINDUISM
• Hinduism does not have a problem with the Big Bang Theory.
• To the Hindu 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 simply 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 parts and
the creation begins.
• Humans are a by-product of the dance. (20)
OR
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Religion Studies/P2 12 DBE/Feb.-Mar. 2015
NSC – Memorandum
4.2 EXAMPLE: MIDDLE EASTERN RELIGIONS
• The scriptures of the Middle Eastern religions - Judaism, Christianity and
Islam- are said to be inspired by God.
• They believe that their scriptures are the direct word of God.
• They share similar views of creation.
• There is one omnipotent, omniscient, perfect creator.
• He created human beings as the centrepiece of creation.
• Creation took six days as it is stated in their scriptures.
• It started from separating light from dark.
• It was made from nothing and there were only two humans to start with
who had been made from clay.
• God created the world through the power of His word.
• Everything that God created was perfect; therefore they do not accept the
Big Bang Theory.
NOTE: The learner may select any one of the Abrahamic faiths. (20)
4.3 YES
• Believers who are evolutionists argue that science and religion contribute
different kind of knowledge.
• Religion and science are answering different questions and use different
methods and language to explain things.
• Scientific knowledge explains processes of how the creation occurs
based on evidence and observations.
• Religion deals with the questions of purpose and meaning for existence
• Sacred Texts should be read as myth about creation rather than as
factual accounts.
NO
• There is no doubt that God created the universe as part of His divine plan
for humanity.
• Creationists believe in the Genesis account of creation.
• Adam and Eve were created perfectly and were the pinnacle of God's
creation
• There is no place for evolution in creationism.
• This is consistent with a literalist interpretation of the sacred texts. (10)
4.4 • Western astronomers challenged the belief that the earth is the centre of
the universe which was fitting perfectly with the Christian view of creation.
• The Orthodox Church could not believe that God would put man on the
planet that was not perfect.
• Astronomers, such as Copernicus produced the heliocentric theory,
which states that the earth is revolving around the sun.
• In the Bible it was the sun that moved not the earth.
• The astronomers appeared to be contradicting the literal word of the
Bible. (8)
[50]
TOTAL: 150
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