# Religion Studies Grade 12 P2 Eastern Cape Mock 2015 Memo > Grade 12 Religion Studies Paper 2 memorandum from the Eastern Cape Mock Exam 2015 (English), 11 pages. Read online or download the free PDF. - Page: https://www.hlayiso.com/library/rel-studies-p2-gr12-memo-eng-sept2015/3bc0fcf0-d9ec-4e57-90ce-5828c3c8fdbe - Updated: 2026-09-27 - Subject: Religion Studies - Grade: Grade 12 - Document type: Memorandum - Year: 2015 - Exam period: Eastern Cape Mock Exam - Paper: 2 - Curriculum: CAPS - Pages: 11 Breadcrumbs: [Home](https://www.hlayiso.com/) › [Library](https://www.hlayiso.com/library) › [Grade 12](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12) › [Religion Studies](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/grade-12/religion-studies) › [Religion Studies Grade 12 P2 Eastern Cape Mock 2015 Memo](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/rel-studies-p2-gr12-memo-eng-sept2015/3bc0fcf0-d9ec-4e57-90ce-5828c3c8fdbe) ## About this document Religion Studies · Grade 12 · Eastern Cape Mock Exam · 2015. Memorandum, 11 pages. Read online or download the PDF. Read it free online on the page above; download the PDF from there. ## Document text Text extracted from the PDF. Layout, diagrams and tables may not survive extraction. ### Page 1 Downloaded from hlayiso.com NATIONAL SENIOR CERTIFICATE GRADE 12 SEPTEMBER 2015 RELIGION STUDIES P2 MEMORANDUM MARKS: 150 This memorandum consists of 11 pages. ### Page 2 Downloaded from hlayiso.com 2 RELIGION STUDIES P2 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2015) QUESTION 1 1.1 Myths  A myth is a type of sacred text.  They often contain historical and metaphorical material.  They are not always literally true or factual accounts.  They are intended to convey spiritual truths.  They are used to explain the creation and origins or the end of time.  They are used to explain events like the birth and death of Jesus, Muhammad and Siddhartha.  It comes from the word “Mythos” which means fable.  It refers to religious stories in which deep truth about life is revealed. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) 1.2 Doctrine  The term ‘doctrine’ is a synonym for teaching.  It does not have a negative connotation.  It is a set of religious teachings.  Doctrines are teachings about religious beliefs that have been organised by religions into coherent philosophical patterns.  For example, early Christian doctrines developed in relation to the Greek philosophy of the time.  The doctrine of Christ as both God and man developed in relation to the Greek understanding of nature and essence.  Doctrines are usually binding on the religious followers. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) 1.3 Dogma  It has two shades of meanings that are relevant in the context of religion.  This concept refers to a principal, tenet or system as laid down by a collective religious authority.  Dogma also has an added connotation which is of collective religious authority.  Dogma has an element of collective authority.  It is presented by the religious collective authority as founded in divine revelation.  While there were may be different interpretations of doctrines in a tradition, dogmas are more absolute.  They are authorised by a collective religious authority on behalf of the tradition and may be considered divinely inspired.  There is no cut-off point between a teaching and a dogma. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 3 Downloaded from hlayiso.com (EC/SEPTEMBER 2015) RELIGION STUDIES P2 3 1.4 Belief  Beliefs are what adherents claim to be true.  These bind particular religious communities and are closely connected to rituals.  In Christianity the belief in the death and resurrection of Jesus and the events of His last hours are built into the ritual of the Eucharist.  In African Traditional religion, belief in the ancestors and their ongoing role in the lives of people is built on their revelation to the living.  It may be used as a synonym for faith.  It may mean acceptance of a thing, fact, a statement, etc.  It may mean a firm opinion. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) 1.5 Ethical teachings  Ethical teachings are the codes in different religions that govern right and good conduct.  The Ten Commandments in Judaism and Christianity.  The law of unconditional love in Christianity.  The Five Pillars of Islam are all examples.  Many people, who are not religious, also follow ethical teachings known as the Golden Rule.  Do unto others as you would be done. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 4 Downloaded from hlayiso.com 4 RELIGION STUDIES P2 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2015) QUESTION 2 2.1 Ideas about sin and evil in Christianity compare with Taoist ideas.  A first difference lies on what sin is.  For Christians, ‘sin’ is not doing the will of God.  The will of God is to honour God and love thy neighbour.  It is concerned about relationships between humans and with God.  It is not about the natural world.  Although it would be true to say that environmental concerns are becoming part of the consciousness of many Christians, since the environment has been exploited for human gain.  Orthodox Christians do not believe that humans are capable of saving themselves.  Taoists believe that people can learn to live in harmony with the Tao by themselves.  The methods of salvation are very different. Orthodox Christians believe that the only route to salvation is to ask for forgiveness through Jesus.  Tao is the master whose commandments we obey.  Tao punishes the wicked.  If you live with harmony you will be fine.  You must find out what Tao wants and then do it.  Tao does not command you to live in harmony – the choice is yours. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (20) 2.2 Explain the difference between the way Theravada and Mahayana schools in Buddhism understands the notion of the self and enlightenment.  Anatman – the ego or the self-imprisons us, and once free of the ego, we can become enlightenment and experience Nirvana.  Enlightenment through an individual’s effort, and not by the intervention or intercession.  Mahayana: Tibetan school.  A pantheon of Buddha’s, bodhisattvas, and Dharma protectors.  Re-incarnation of lineages of lamas (teachers).  Buddha can be shown in human form.  Mahayana: Zen school  Dharma transmission: o A special transmission outside the scriptures. o Seeing into one’s own nature and attaining Buddhahood/ enlightenment. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 5 Downloaded from hlayiso.com (EC/SEPTEMBER 2015) RELIGION STUDIES P2 5 2.3 Describe the system of governance in Tibetan Buddhism and explain the Dalai Lama’s relationship to it.  There is a belief in Pantheon of Buddha’s, and Lamas formed part of this.  They were seen to be the re-incarnation of masters and therefore wise teachers.  Lamas were seen to have equal authority to the Buddha – thus the term “Lamaism”.  The head of Tibetan Buddhism is the Dalai Lama.  This is a title that has been used in Tibet since 1391.  There have been a succession of Dalai Lamas from the 17th century until 1959. Tibet was ruled by the Dalai Lama.  When the Republic of China invaded Tibet in 1959, the current Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, fled Tibet and has been a spiritual leader in exile. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) 2.4 Name the belief that lies at the heart of Christianity, and TWO implications that flow from this belief.  At the heart of Christianity is the belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God.  According to Christianity, this is God’s ultimate revelation of Himself.  God is no longer outside of human experience, but it is a part of it.  Christians experience God as both transcendent i.e. outside of creation.  As well as immanent – part of, and inside creation. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 6 Downloaded from hlayiso.com 6 RELIGION STUDIES P2 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2015) QUESTION 3 3.1 Explain why Galileo’s criticism of the accepted geocentric theory of the universe was such a challenge to traditional religious ideas of the time.  Geocentric means that the earth is in the centre of the universe.  The idea that the earth was at the centre of the universe went well with the Christian view of creation.  The belief that God had put human beings at the centre of His creation.  The idea that the universe was unchanging went well with the idea that God was perfect and had created a perfect, i.e. unchanging universe.  By taking the earth from the centre of things, by the new astronomy, was counter to the creation story.  The heliocentric view places the sun at the centre.  Earth and other planets moving around the sun in elliptical rather than circular pathways, of varying speed.  This was not consistent with what was understood to be perfect. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) 3.2 How do religions respond to the Big Bang theory? Refer to different perspectives in any ONE religion.  The Abrahamic religions in particular believe that God created the universe.  They do not even doubt about belief, i.e. God is the universe.  Most Orthodox and conservative believers insists that these creation myths should be read as literal truth, because if they are false, then it calls into question other beliefs and teachings.  Some liberal or progressive Jews, Christians and Muslims argue that if everything in the universe was created by God, then the process of evolution is also part of God’s divine plan.  The synthesis of evolution and religious doctrine is referred to as the theistic evolution.  Some religious believers say God was responsible for the ‘Big Bang’.  This is the event that in scientists claim started life in the universe.  This theory says that about 14 billion years ago, the universe began to expand and became hotter and hotter until an explosion occurred.  Adam and Eve were the pinnacle of God’s creation.  This is consistent with a literalist interpretation of the sacred texts.  Believers who are also evolutionists argue that science and religion contribute different kinds of knowledge, and that they are answering different kinds of questions and using different methods and language to explain things. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (20) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 7 Downloaded from hlayiso.com (EC/SEPTEMBER 2015) RELIGION STUDIES P2 7 3.3 Briefly discuss the relationship between religion and science.  Science developments have changed our world.  At the deeper level, science has challenged the way people look at the world.  More importantly, science has challenged the very foundation of traditional religions.  The difficulties between religion and science have emerged in the last four centuries.  The two approaches became increasingly competitive, even conflicting.  In all cultures, religion through the ages has traditionally provided answers to questions such as the following: o How and when the world started? o When did humans make their first appearance?  While some religions regarded it as a major conflict, others had less difficulty in the reconciling of their teachings with the theories of science. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) 3.4 How the awareness that we are not a unique life form, would affect a believer’s notion about human’s place in creation.  The notion and interconnectedness of all life.  Discarding the traditional domination model where the human species is seen to be apart from, has power over, and its superior to other life forms.  Developing the consciousness that human have a responsibility to take care of creation.  Exercise responsible choices that consider all living creatures rather than just satisfying the needs of the human species.  It is important for us to understand each religion for its own sake.  In this way we can learn to appreciate each religion and perhaps there will be less conflicts.  When you understand a religion from its own point of view then you can better appreciate its contribution. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 8 Downloaded from hlayiso.com 8 RELIGION STUDIES P2 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2015) QUESTION 4 4.1 Explain the difference between normative and descriptive sources in religion.  The word normative can be defined as creating standards, for example Muslims must eat only Halaal food.  Jews observe the Sabbath.  A normative statement tries to affirm how things should be.  All Jews should observe the Sabbath.  Normative statements also tell us how to value things.  It also tells us which things are good or bad, which actions are right and wrong. (10) 4.2 Describe the normative sources in any TWO religions you have studied. [For the purpose of this memorandum Christianity and African Traditional Religion are discussed.] Christianity:  The Christian Bible is made up of two parts; namely the Old and the New Testaments.  The Old Testament is the same as the Hebrew Bible and refers to the part of the Bible that was written by Jews before the birth of Jesus.  The New Testament is made up of the writings by Jesus’ disciples after his death.  The New Testament is regarded as the most important part of the Bible by most Christians and is made up of 27 books.  Almost half of the New Testament is made up of the gospels, which comes from the Greek word for ‘good news’.  The four gospels (Mathew, Mark, Luke and John) focus on telling the life of Jesus.  The growth and development of the Christian community after the death of Jesus is described in the Acts of the Apostles. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) African Traditional Religion:  African Religion is defined as the indigenous religion of Africans.  It has been handed down from generation to generation by the forebears.  African Traditional Religion is an example of an oral religious tradition, in other words, it is a religion that does not have a sacred text.  All its beliefs and teachings are passed down into two ways: through the spoken word or through ritual actions.  In most African religions, morals, values and knowledge are communicated through the telling of stories known as proverbs.  Most African proverbs contain a lesson about living a good and moral life.  The idea of oral religion does not mean that beliefs and practices are only shared through speaking. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 9 Downloaded from hlayiso.com (EC/SEPTEMBER 2015) RELIGION STUDIES P2 9 4.3 Analyse any TWO of the following secular world views: [For the purpose of this memorandum, Atheism and Agnosticism are discussed.]  4 Atheism: . 3  Atheists are the people who do not believe that divine beings or . a supreme power exist. 1  Atheism is seen as a secular world view because it is the opposite of Theism (belief in the Divine).  There are different forms of atheism: o Soft (or neutral) atheists, are these who doubt that God, gods and goddesses exist, but because they do not actively reject the idea, they usually do not try to go out of their way to prove that divine beings do not exist. o Strong (or positive) atheists believe that there is evidence to support their views and strongly reject the idea that divine beings exist.  In some cases, soft or neutral atheists reject both theism and strong atheism, because they feel that both world views depend on faith and proof to support their claims.  In the modern world, people have chosen to be atheists for different reasons.  Many of them argue that it is not logical to believe in a divine power, as there is no evidence to show that such a power really exists.  Some atheists reject the idea of religion for moral reasons, because of the many wars and acts of violence that have occurred because of religious conflicts. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10)  4 Agnosticism: . 3  The term agnostic comes from the Greek word gnosis . (knowledge) and a (without). 3  Agnosticism is a philosophy that has come to be understood in various ways.  Most agnostics claim that it is impossible to know for certain whether or not God, gods or goddesses really exist.  In some cases, they tend to reject most religions and their teachings.  They argue that if there is such a thing as a supreme being or divine power, it is so great that it is beyond the understanding of humans.  For this reason, agnostics can be very sceptical of religious teachings and distrustful of religious doctrine. [Any relevant answer should be credited.] (10) [50] Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 10 Downloaded from hlayiso.com 10 RELIGION STUDIES P2 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2015) QUESTION 5 5.1 Explain the views of the following religions about abortion: 5.1.1 Islam:  There are different options on the issue of abortion in the Islamic faith.  Muslim law states that once the foetus is completely formed and has been given a soul, abortion is forbidden.  There are different beliefs regarding at what stage the foetus is given a soul.  According to another famous legal tradition, the foetus is given a soul only 120 days after conception.  According to this tradition, it is permissible for a pregnant woman to have an abortion for a valid reason during the first 120 days of pregnancy.  Other Islamic legal tradition argues that the foetus is given a soul at conception.  Both traditions allow abortion when the life of the mother is in danger.  According to this view, it is at any other given time forbidden.  The mother’s life is very important because she has other responsibilities and commitments.  The foetus has no responsibilities and commitments.  Sex before marriage and out of marriage is morally irresponsible. [Any other relevant answer should be credited.] (20) 5.1.2 Christianity:  There are different views about abortion in the different Christian denominations  Many Christians are against abortion.  Those that are against abortion believe that human beings are created in God’s image.  Life is believed to be a gift from God.  All kinds of life are believed to be sacred.  Human life is believed to begin at conception.  The foetus should be respected as any other form of life.  The destruction of foetus is seen as murder.  Some Christians would be against abortion being used as means of birth control, but would agree if the mother’s life is in danger.  Christians believe that responsible behaviour at all times is an important aspect of their relationship with God.  Most Christian groups encourage young people to abstain from sex, until they are married. [Any other relevant answer should be credited.] (20) Copyright reserved Please turn over ### Page 11 Downloaded from hlayiso.com (EC/SEPTEMBER 2015) RELIGION STUDIES P2 11 5.2 Name any FIVE causes of abortion.  Teenage pregnancy  When a woman is raped.  When the expectant mother is not working.  When the father of the child rejects the woman who is pregnant  When the pregnant woman’s life is at risk.  HIV and Aids – If someone know their status during pregnancy.  Substance abuse – if someone is using drugs, for example alcohol can lead to abortion  Peer pressure – If someone is influenced by friends for example if her friends does not like her boyfriend, the friend can tell that person to abort the foetus. [Any other relevant answer should be credited.] (Any 5 x 2) (10) [50] TOTAL: 150 Copyright reserved Please turn over ## Related documents - [REL STUDIES P2 GR12 QP ENG SEPT2015](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/rel-studies-p2-gr12-qp-eng-sept2015/56b05c75-db6c-411c-8e17-d884c6f44a8d) — Religion Studies · QP · 2015 · Eng - [REL STUDIES P2 GR12 QP AFR SEPT2015](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/rel-studies-p2-gr12-qp-afr-sept2015/11b42e35-70b7-4ad7-a7e5-11087ec0d3b2) — Religion Studies · QP · 2015 · Afr - [Religion Studies P2 Nov 2015 Memo Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/religion-studies-p2-nov-2015-memo-afr/f83afff4-c34e-4b7a-9ad1-d1d4aa5f1ce0) — Religion Studies · Memo · 2015 · Afr - [RELIGION STUDIES P2 MEMO SEPT 2020 AFR](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/religion-studies-p2-memo-sept-2020-afr/4fc7414e-5627-48ef-89d0-65ccf9497f6d) — Religion Studies · Memo · 2020 · Afr - [RELIGION STUDIES P2 MEMO SEPT 2020 ENG](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/religion-studies-p2-memo-sept-2020-eng/370b34b7-f732-49c4-b743-024b885139ce) — Religion Studies · Memo · 2020 · Eng - [REL STUDIES P2 MEMO SEPT 2018 Afrikaans](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/rel-studies-p2-memo-sept-2018-afrikaans/8a667319-4336-43ff-a856-d3395338d73b) — Religion Studies · Memo · 2018 · Afr ## More from Grade 12 Religion Studies - [Gr 12 Rel Stu ATP 2023-24](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/gr-12-rel-stu-atp-2023-24/506fcf57-c1e6-4c4b-bd21-fba6f147f20b) — ATP - [RELIGION STUDIES P1 GR12 QP SEPT 2024 Afrikaans](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/religion-studies-p1-gr12-qp-sept-2024-afrikaans/1285d56b-137f-4fbe-9aec-e374523e79e3) — QP · 2024 · Afr - [Religion Studies P1 Nov 2024 Eng](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/religion-studies-p1-nov-2024-eng/0c13dbdc-e322-43ed-aa01-f39578d31c9f) — QP · 2024 · Eng - [Religion Studies P1 Nov 2024 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/religion-studies-p1-nov-2024-afr/bf4d1331-1edb-4473-8d95-f6dc04204194) — QP · 2024 · Afr - [Religion Studies P2 Nov 2024 Afr](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/religion-studies-p2-nov-2024-afr/04aeabb0-cded-4bb3-bfbf-8ef272c469e6) — QP · 2024 · Afr - [RELIGION STUDIES P1 GR12 QP SEPT 2023 Afrikaans](https://www.hlayiso.com/library/religion-studies-p1-gr12-qp-sept-2023-afrikaans/353fb867-5b39-442f-80a4-7cdafe333a1f) — QP · 2023 · Afr ## Collection - [Grade 12 past papers](https://www.hlayiso.com/grade-12/past-papers) --- Hlayiso: free CAPS and IEB past papers, memos, notes and study guides for South African learners. When citing, link the page URL above, not a PDF or /api/ URL.