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 NATIONAL
SENIOR CERTIFICATE

GRADE 12

SEPTEMBER 2020

RELIGION STUDIES P1

MARKS: 150

TIME: 2 hours

This question paper consists of 15 pages.

 2 RELIGION STUDIES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020)

INSTRUCTIONS AND INFORMATION

1. The question paper consists of SECTION A and SECTION B.

2. SECTION A: COMPULSARY
SECTION B: Answer ANY TWO questions in this section.

3. The questions in SECTION A count ONE mark per fact, unless otherwise
indicated.

4. Read all the questions carefully.

5. The length of your answers must be in accordance with the marks allocated to
each question.

6. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in

the question paper.

7. Write neatly and legibly.

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 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020) RELIGION STUDIES P1 3

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 number (1.1.1–1.1.10) in the ANSWER BOOK, for example
1.1.11 D.

1.1.1 Orthodox Jews observe religious laws which are called …

A Sharia.
B Mitzvot.
C Genesis.
D Halakhah. (1)

1.1.2 The Tao may be described as the …

A path of the universe.

B earth.
C hereafter.
D cycle of life. (1)

1.1.3 The highest caste in traditional Hinduism is the …

A Upanishads or scribes.
B Sudras or labourers.
C Ksatriyas or rulers and warriors.
D Brahamanas or spiritual teachers. (1)

1.1.4 The founder of Buddhism is …

A Siddhartha Gautama.
B Baha’u’llah.
C Vajrayana.
D the Dalai Lama. (1)

1.1.5 The Baha’i faith originated in …

A Iraq.
B Iran.
C China.
D Saudi Arabia. (1)

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 4 RELIGION STUDIES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020)

1.1.6 When Prophet Muhammad passed away, he was succeeded

by …

A Isaac.
B Abu Bakr.
C Jesus.
D Ali. (1)

1.1.7 An example of Neo- (modern) Hinduism is …

A Rig Veda.
B the Divine Life Society.
C the Bhagavad Gita.
D Bhakti yoga. (1)

1.1.8 The Hadith is/are ….

A a collection of teachings of the Prophet Muhammad.

B compulsory teachings in the Qur’an.
C books of myths.
D records of Islamic history. (1)

1.1.9 The oldest form of Buddhism is …

A Zen Buddhism.
B Tibetan Buddhism.
C Mahanyana Buddhism.
D Theravada Buddhism. (1)

1.1.10 A dogma, in a religious context, is …

A a lie or fabrication.
B teachings with absolute authority.
C a sacred text.
D a discussion of spiritual truths through a story. (1)

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 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020) RELIGION STUDIES P1 5

1.2 Choose an item from COLUMN B that matches an item in COLUMN A. Write
only the letter (A–H) next to the question number (1.2.1–1.2.6) in the
ANSWER BOOK, for example 1.2.7 I. Do NOT use any letter more than
ONCE.

COLUMN A COLUMN B
1.2.1 Following the model of the Holy A Traditional Hinduism
Trinity, humanity should have a
relationship of mutual respect and
love

1.2.2 A sacred text consisting of a B Torah

collection of laws and teachings

1.2.3 While there are several paths to C Islam

God, the proper performance of
domestic and temple rituals is
obligatory for all

1.2.4 Religious stories in which deep D Kitáb-i-Aqdas

truths about life are revealed

1.2.5 Two religious groups parted ways E Christianity

because of political differences

1.2.6 A holy religious occasion F Myth

G Qur’an

H Ritual
(6 x 1) (6)

1.3 Choose the word in EACH list below that does NOT match the rest. Write
down the word next to the question numbers (1.3.1–1.3.5) in the ANSWER
BOOK and give a reason why it does NOT fit.

EXAMPLE: Banana; Apple; Potato; Grape

ANSWER: 1.3.6 Potato. The others are all fruit.

1.3.1 Charles Darwin; Shogi Effendi; Copernicus; Kepler (2)

1.3.2 Therevada; Pali Canon; Sanskrit; Mahayana (2)

1.3.3 Karma; Ahimsa; Tripitaka; Dharma (2)

1.3.4 Taoism; Buddhism; African Traditional Religion; Judaism (2)

1.3.5 Brahmo Samaj; Ramakrishna; Arya Samaj; Ecumenism (2)

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 6 RELIGION STUDIES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020)

1.4 Explain EACH of the following concepts in the context of religion:

1.4.1 Moksha (2)

1.4.2 Nation state (2)

1.4.3 Non-theistic (2)

1.4.4 Inspiration (2)

1.4.5 Atheism (2)

1.5 Indicate whether the following statements are TRUE or FALSE. Write ‘true’ or
‘false’ next to the question numbers (1.5.1–1.5.5) in the ANSWER BOOK.
Correct the statement if it is FALSE.

1.5.1 Syncretism is the science of the interpretation of texts. (2)

1.5.2 A shaman is a Supreme Being; the Creator in African Traditional

Religion. (2)

1.5.3 Bukhari is a collection of Marxist teachings. (2)

1.5.4 The New Testament is the sacred text of Judaism. (2)

1.6 Answer the following questions.

1.6.1 What is a normative source? (2)

1.6.2 Briefly explain the concept secularism. (4)

TOTAL SECTION A: 50

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 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020) RELIGION STUDIES P1 7

SECTION B

Answer ANY TWO questions in this section.

QUESTION 2

Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.

UNIQUE (AND SOMETIMES DANGEROUS)

RELIGIOUS RITUALS AROUND THE WORLD
Throughout the world, believers adhere to practices that strike outsiders as
bizarre, but seem completely reasonable to the faithful.
The religions most familiar to Westerners – Christianity, Judaism, and Islam –
have their fair share of unusual rituals, too: simulating the eating of flesh and the
drinking of blood (Communion in Christianity), performing surgical procedures on
infants and children (Bris, Khitān, Judaism and Christianity), and attempting to
restore sight and hearing solely by touch or prayer (Faith Healing – Christianity).
Piercing your body with hooks as a sign of devotion (Hinduism), tossing a baby
from the top of the tower to make him healthier (Hinduism and Islam), and having
your car blessed with holy water and flowers may sound strange (and dangerous
– Buddhist priests), but who’s to say they’re any weirder than the religious rituals
we’ve come to accept at home?

[Extract taken from bootsnall.com. Accessed on 05 April 2020.]

2.1 Write notes on the term UNIQUENESS in order to highlight religious

uniqueness. (4)

2.2 Mention only ONE factor from the extract that forms religious identity. (2)

2.3 Hindus and Westerners believe in the tossing of an infant. Write down the
FUNCTIONS of the uniqueness of a religion. (6)

2.4 Explain THREE unique features of any ONE religion in EACH of the
groupings below:

2.4.1 Eastern religions (6)

2.4.2 Middle Eastern religions (6)

2.5 Name FOUR similarities that exist within the Abrahamic religions. (8)

2.6 In the context of religion, give TWO facts about EACH of the following:

2.6.1 Hinduism’s view on Karma (4)

2.6.2 The Inyanga in African Traditional Religion (4)

2.6.3 Canon in the Christian religion (4)

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 8 RELIGION STUDIES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020)

2.7 Briefly discuss EACH of the following concepts in the context of religion:

2.7.1 Similarities (2)

2.7.2 Identity (2)

2.7.3 Differences (2)

[50]

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 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020) RELIGION STUDIES P1 9

QUESTION 3

Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.

IN SOUTH AFRICA, THE WORLD’S RELIGIOUS LEADERS

GATHER FOR DIALOGUE AND ACTION
Cape Town, South Africa – Without doubt, one of the highlights for religious
leaders gathered here for the Parliament of the World’s Religions was a speech
by a secular political leader: former South African President Nelson Mandela.

Addressing the thousands of representatives gathered from the world’s major

faith groups, the 81-year-old former political prisoner said the religious institutions
played a major role in bringing about the end of apartheid in South Africa.

‘Without the Church and religious institutions, I would never be here today’, said
President Mandela, explaining that it was Christian, Muslim, Hindu and Jewish
religious groups that were instrumental in providing him and other young blacks
with an education – and later in giving comfort to political prisoners and their
families.

President Mandela went on to say that, “Religion will have a crucial role to play
in guiding and inspiring humanity to meet the enormous challenges we face in
the next century”.

[Extract taken from onecountry.org. Accessed on 05 April 2020.]

3.1.1 Define interreligious dialogue. (2)

3.1.2 Give a synonym for the word ‘instrumental’ in paragraph 3. (2)

3.1.3 Four different religions are mentioned in the extract. Explain briefly
how these religions impacted President Mandela. (6)

3.1.4 President Mandela asked religious leaders to work together. Name and
discuss an organisation that promotes inter-religious dialogue in South
Africa. (8)

3.1.5 Discuss interreligious dialogue in South Africa prior to 1996. (10)

3.1.6 Do you think women are playing an important role in promoting

interreligious relationships in South Africa? Give reasons for your
answer. (8)

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 10 RELIGION STUDIES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020)

3.2 Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow.

CHRISTIAN RESPONSE NEEDED AGAINST THREATS TO REMOVE

CHRISTMAS AND GOOD FRIDAY HOLIDAYS
by Adv. Nadene Badenhorst

The recent proposal by the South African Law Reform Commission

(SALRC) to remove Good Friday and Christmas as public holidays on the
SA calendar, has, triggered criticism around the country.

According to the SALRC, an advisory statutory body responsible for

identifying and revising laws that are at odds with the Constitution, ‘There
is an element of prejudicial treatment in that the two main Christian holidays
are declared as paid public holidays and adherents of other religions who
celebrate other faith-based holidays are disadvantaged in that their
holidays are not declared public holidays and they do not have an
automatic benefit of pay on those days.’ The SALRC accordingly suggests
that either these holidays be reviewed, or that equal weight be given to
holidays of other faiths.

One could only imagine the impact on our already suffering economy if, in
the name of equality, we are to give a public holiday to every group in our
society! It simply does not make sense for almost 80% of the (Christian)
population to take a day off for a religious holiday that is observed by less
than 20%.

What the SALRC seems to overlook also, is that section 2(2) of the Public
Holidays Act specifically provides that ‘any public holiday shall be
exchangeable for any other day which is fixed by agreement or agreed to
between an employer and employee.’ In other words, the same Act that
provides for two Christian public holidays on the national calendar, gives
non-Christian employees the right to, instead of Good Friday Christmas,
request paid leave on another day (e.g. Ramadan for Muslims, or Diwali for
Hindus).

… It is hard to accept that these holidays serve to ‘deepen religious divides.’

[Extract taken from gatewaynews.co.za. Accessed on 05 April 2020.]

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 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020) RELIGION STUDIES P1 11

DEBATES CONTINUE OVER RELIGIOUS HOLIDAYS

Durban – African Christian Democratic Party president Reverend Kenneth

Meshoe has told Christians to reject any attempts by the government to
scrap Good Friday and Christmas as public holidays on the South African
calendar.

‘These are two of the holiest days for Christians. Not only that, they are
two days that impact on business. There are many who may not be
Christians, but ensure that they go to church on these two days.’

He said if the government moved to scrap these two public holidays, they
would be showing the nation that they were not taking them into
consideration.

President of the Hindu Council of the South African Hindu Maha Sabha,
Ashwin Trikamjee said although he was not Christian, he did not support
the idea that these two holidays should be removed.

[Extract taken from iol.co.za. Accessed on 15 December 2019.]

3.2.1 What are the reasons given by the SALRC for removing Christmas
and Good Friday from the SA calendar? (4)

3.2.2 What reasonable arguments can Christians put forward for keeping
the holidays on the calendar? (4)

3.2.3 According to the writer, what alternatives exist according to the

Public Holidays Act for adherents of other religions? (4)

3.2.4 It is hard to accept that these holidays serve to ‘deepen religious

divides.’

What do you think this quotation mean? (2)

[50]

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 12 RELIGION STUDIES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020)

QUESTION 4

4.1 Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.

“Allah is the Light of the heavens and the earth. The parable of His light is
as if it were a niche containing a lamp; the lamp is [enclosed] in glass, the
glass [shining] like a radiant star: [a lamp] lit from a blessed tree – an olive-
tree that is neither of the east nor of the west, the oil whereof [is so bright
that it] would be well-nigh give light [of itself] even though fire had not
touched it: light upon light! Allah guides unto His light him that wills [to be
guided]; and [to this end] Allah propounds parables unto men, since Allah
[alone] has full knowledge of all things.”

[Source: The Quran 24:35]

4.1.1 In the context of religion explain the concept parable. (4)

4.1.2 Give an opinion on what the lesson or spiritual truth of ‘Allah is

the Light’ (the parable) is. (4)

4.1.3 Name the elements described in the parable. (4)

4.1.4 Name a parable (except ‘Allah is the Light’) from any religion and
explain its meaning. (8)

4.2 ‘Doctrines are the beliefs that provide the central frame of reference for a
religion.’

Give ONE example of a doctrine from EACH of the following religions and
explain its meaning:

4.2.1 Christianity (4)

4.2.2 Hinduism (4)

4.3 In your own words explain ONE well-known dogma of the Roman Catholic
church. Write short notes. (6)

4.4 Explain the following terms in the context of religion:

4.4.1 Belief (8)

4.4.2 Ideology (8)

[50]

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 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020) RELIGION STUDIES P1 13

QUESTION 5

5.1 Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.

SOUTH AFRICA DECLARES ‘FEMICIDE’ A NATIONAL CRISIS

by Thuso Khumalo

The South African government has declared gender-based violence a

national crisis. According to a new government report, a woman is
murdered every three hours in South Africa, and many are assaulted and
raped before their death.

“Enough is enough. A lot has been said, but still there are no changes,”
Nomakhosazana Xaba said. “It’s been years. We are brutally victimised
each-and-every day, every second. Am I next? It’s fearing to live.”

The latest wave of outrage was sparked by the recent murder of Uyinene
Mrwetyana. The 19-year-old University of Cape Town student was raped
and killed inside a post office by an employee while she was trying to collect
a parcel.

The latest crime statistics released by the Police reveal the depth of the
crisis: Nearly 3,000 women were murdered between April 2018 and March
this year. This translates to seven per day.

However, many of these female victims are brutally assaulted and raped
before being murdered. In many cases, their bodies are disposed of in the
bush or in shallow graves or burned beyond recognition.

President Cyril Ramaphosa recently convened an urgent joint session of

parliament to find a solution to gender-based violence.

The action plan he presented includes setting up a $68 million fund, beefing
up the criminal justice system, improving the legal and policy framework
around sexual offences and other forms of GBV, and empower women
economically.

‘Those who are found guilty of such crimes should not be eligible for parole,’
Ramaphosa said. ‘And if sentenced to a life sentence, this must just mean
what it is, life in prison.’

[Extract taken from www.voanews.com˃africa. Accessed on 08 January 2020.]

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 14 RELIGION STUDIES P1 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020)

PROTESTERS OUTSIDE PARLIAMENT DEMAND

ACTION ON FEMICIDE, NOT JUST WORDS

Ongoing protests against femicide and gender-based violence have

forced President Cyril Ramaphosa’s government to relook laws on how
convicted abusers, rapists, and murderers should be punished.

Outside parliament, in Cape Town, where hundreds of protesters

gathered to demand action against gender-based violence, the call for
harsher punishment for perpetrators and more action from the
government reached a crescendo.

This comes after a week of protest, pickets, and social media campaigns
following the arrest of a 42-year-old man for the rape and murder of UCT
first-year student Uyinene Mrwetyana.

[Extract taken from mg.co.za. Accessed on 21 November 2019.]

5.1.1 Explain TWO women’s or girls’ rights that are being violated
through gender-based violence. (4)

5.1.2 The South African constitution protects human rights.

Explain what is meant by this statement. (4)

5.1.3 Do you think the steps that President Ramaphosa suggested can
be effective to stem the tide of gender-based violence? Give
reasons for your answer. (6)

5.1.4 What campaigns can religious organisations employ to address

the problem of gender-based violence? (6)

5.1.5 In South Africa, a woman is murdered every three hours. What

measures do you think can the government introduce to stop
femicide? (6)

5.1.6 From the extract, give evidence that perpetrators of gender-based

violence often treat women and children in an inhumane manner. (4)

5.1.7 Mention any TWO incidents of femicide in South Africa that you
are aware off. (4)

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 (EC/SEPTEMBER 2020) RELIGION STUDIES P1 15

5.2 Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow.

16 DAYS OF ACTIVISM FOR NO VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN AND

CHILDREN

It is a worldwide campaign to oppose violence against women and

children. Its aim is to raise awareness of the NEGATIVE impact that
violence and abuse have on women and children and to rid society of
abuse permanently.

The 16 Days of Activism Campaign is held from 25 November to

10 December every year. However, the success of the campaign rests on
our daily individual and collective actions to safeguard our society against
this cycle of abuse.

Gender-based violence stems from the low status of women in the home
and society. It happens when men abuse POWER and positions of
authority to CONTROL women and children.

The vision of Parliament confirms Parliament as the institution that

transforms the entire society to be based on democratic values, social
justice and fundamental human rights, which include women’s and
children’s rights. With regards to this, Parliament has already made
strides in passing legislation aimed at ending this scourge in society.

[Extract taken from www.parliament.gov.za. Accessed on 15 December 2019.]

5.2.1 Give a synonym for activism. (2)

5.2.2 According to the extract, what are the aims of the 16 Days of
Activism campaign? (4)

5.2.3 Quote ONE word from paragraph 1 (ONE) that tells us that this
is not only a South African initiative. (2)

5.2.4 What do you think are possible causes of gender-based

violence? (4)

5.2.5 Do you think the desired aim can only be accomplished between
25 November and 10 December? Motivate your answer. (4)
[50]

TOTAL SECTION B: 100

GRAND TOTAL: 150

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