Avoca Secondary School

Religion Studies: Grade 12 - Paper Two

Trial Examinations: 2023

Time: 2 Hours Marks: 150

Examiner: Mrs C.J Raghunandan Moderator: Mrs I.J Jodhun

Instructions:
1. This question paper consists of FIVE questions and THREE pages.
2. Answer only THREE of the five questions
3. Each question carries 50 marks.
4. Read ALL the questions carefully.
5. Number the answers correctly according to the numbering system used in the
question paper.
6. Write neatly and legibly.

Question 1:
Read the extract below and answer the questions that follow.

Mark 10:6-9 - But from the beginning of creation, ‘God made them male
and female.’ ‘Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold
fast to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer
two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man
separate.”

1.1 Explain the concepts marriage and divorce. (10)

1.2 Analyze the impact of marriage and divorce on society. (10)
1.3 Comment on the causes of divorce. (10)
1.4 With reference to any ONE religion, discuss the teachings that
specifically address the problem of divorce. (10)
1.5 What practical strategies can religious organizations implement to
combat divorce in our society? (10)
[50]

1
Question 2:
“In order to understand different religions, we often begin by looking at the
main teachings that make up a particular religious tradition.”

In the light of the above statement, discuss the core teachings of any ONE religion,
under the following headings:
2.1 The nature of divinity (10)
2.2 The nature of the world (10)
2.3 The place of humanity in the world (10)
2.4 The origin of evil (10)
2.5 Life after death (10)
[50]

Question 3:

Study the extract below and answer the questions that follow.

The late German-born physicist Albert Einstein believed that science without religion
was lame, and religion without science was blind. But the debate over whether
science and religion can co-exist has been going on since the dawn of mankind and
continues to divide opinion even today.
[Source: www.ineos.com/INCH magazine/Nov2014
3.1.1 Explain why Abrahamic religions have rejected Darwin's theory
of evolution. (14)
3.1.2 Write SEVEN facts about the Big Bang theory. (14)
3.1.3 Evaluate the response of any ONE of the following religions to the
Big Bang Theory:
 Bahá'i faith
 Taoism
 Hinduism (12)
3.2 Discuss the impact of the geocentric and heliocentric theories on
the church. (10)
[50]

2
Question 4:
Jesus said, “Render unto Caesar what is Caesar’s, and unto God what is
God’s

4.1. Briefly explain what secularism is. (10)

4.2 Discuss any TWO worldviews on Religion. (20)
4.3 What hermeneutical principles can you apply when interpreting
Religious texts? (10)
4.4 Describe the role of sacred text in any ONE religion. (10)

[50]
Question 5:

Historically, the relationships between the religions have often been conflicted. Many
wars have been waged over religious differences and in some parts of the world this
is still happening. While there have been periods of intense conflict, there have also
been periods of religious cooperation. In South Africa, there have been many
attempts at the level of religious leadership to develop cordial relationships among
different religions.
[Adapted from Shuters Top Class Religion Studies, Grade12]

5.1 Explain what the South African government has done to promote peace
amongst various religions in the country, after the democratic elections in
1994. (10)
5.2 Explain the differences between the Programme for Christian-Muslim
Relations in Africa and the African Council of Religious Leaders. (4)
5.3 List SEVEN achievements of the Interfaith Action for Peace in Africa
(IFAPA). (14)
5.4 Discuss the history of the Parliament of the World's Religions, from its
beginning to 2009. (10)
5.5 Evaluate the effectiveness of the Parliament of the World's Religions. (12)
[50]

TOTAL MARKS: 150

Good Luck