RELIGION STUDIES

GRADE 10
PAPER 2

MID-YEAR MEMORANDUM 2024

Question 1
1.1.1. The Julian / Gregorian calendar
❖ It is based on a 12 month year, each month of 30 or 31 days.
❖ February is expected to be having 28/29 days.
❖ Christians celebrate the important events in relation to the life of Christ.
❖ Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ on the 24th of December.
❖ Easter which celebrate the death of Christ and His resurrection.
❖ Celebration on the day of Passover and Ascension Day.
❖ Celebration of all Saints Day on 1 November.

1.1.2. Jewish calendar

❖ It is made up of 12 Lunar months of 29/30 days
❖ Each with their own names.
❖ It follows the sequence of the seasons starting with spring and ending with winter.
❖ This calendar system is used in Judaism to count the correct days of the festivals.
❖ It is the official calendar of Israel.
❖ It tries to do justice to both the Lunar and Solar systems.
❖ It dates back to 3761 BCE.
❖ This calendar was established by Sanhendrin leader, Hillel.
❖ It was established around 359CE.
❖ The Jewish days starts at sunset.

1.1.3. Islamic calendar

❖ It is based on the lunar cycle.
❖ Each month has its own name.
❖ Each month starts with the new moon.
❖ There are 12 Lunar month.
❖ Each month has 29 or 30 days.
❖ It is about 11 days shorter than the solar year used in Gregorian system.
1.1.4. The Hindu calendar
❖ It is very old.
❖ It is based on Agricultural practices planning around the seasons.
❖ It is comprised of 12 months, each months of 30 days.
❖ It is grouped into six main seasons.
 ❖ It reflects the rhythm of life as well as the season
1.1.5. Buddhist calendar
❖ There is no single Buddhist calendar.
❖ It is not quite the same in all Buddhist countries.
❖ All Buddhists celebrate the Buddha’s birthday.
❖ There is a story that the Buddha’s birthday, enlightenment and death all happened on
the full moon day of the Lunar month / May.
❖ This festival is called Wesak in many countries where Buddhism is practiced

Any relevant responses should be credited.

Question 2

2.1.1. Indoctrination

❖ This is to spread your beliefs to another person.

❖ The word can be used in positive way.
❖ It can also be done in a negative way.
❖ It can be done by applying constant emotional pressure.
❖ It can be done by making a person to read things, go to places, write things and watch
videos which compel acceptance of a religious belief.

2.1.2. Syncretism

❖ Is a blending of an existing religion with a new religion to form a new one.

❖ This concepts is used to describe the mixing of elements from different religions.
❖ It meant joining forces against common enemies.
❖ Some believers are critical of interfaith activities as they acquate it with syncretism.
❖ Those who fear interfaith activities think that their religions might lose identity.
❖ An African indigenous Churches that are deliberately syncretic, make positive use of
traditions of both Christianity and African Traditional Religion

2.1.3. Religious pluralism

❖ The concept means accepting that your religion is not the only one.
❖ It acknowledges that different religions can all express truths about human experience.
 ❖ It is a way of thinking that there are different and equally worthwhile ways of
understanding God
❖ Pluralists believe that people should be free to belong to whatever religions they feel
suits them best.
❖ Religious pluralism is used as a synonym for religious diversity.
❖ It is a belief that there are many ways to God.
❖ The path can be through many faiths.

2.1.4. Fundamentalism

❖ It is the literal belief in the exact words of the scripture or doctrines of a particular faith.
❖ Followers are expected to adhere strictly to the law and practices of the faith.
❖ There are many Christian fundamentalists e.g. who may reject evolution because it does
not accord with their strict ideas about creation according to the Bible.
❖ Muslim fundamentalists too may believe that their religion should be the state law and
the political system.

2.1.5. Religious conflict

❖ This situation takes place when people who have different faiths fail to live in
harmony.
❖ Religious tolerance is the main cause of religious conflict.
❖ It is caused by forceful conversation of people.
❖ Conflict takes place when institutions feels that other beliefs challenge their faith.
❖ It is on nation grounds which often includes competition about political and economic
matter.

Question 3

3.1.1. Global warming

❖ Global warming can be referred to as climate change.

❖ Human activities have been the cause of climate change e.g. burning of fossil
fuels.
❖ The average temperature of the earth’s surface is now warmer than it was in the
1800s
❖ Climate change can affect our health, ability to grow food, housing, safety and
work.
 ❖ We as people now suffer the consequences of climate change by having water
scarcity, severe fires, rising sea levels, intense drought e.t.c.

Any relevant responses should be credited

3.1.2. Food security

❖ It means that people are able to get enough food to live.

❖ It means that sufficient food and crops are grown to meet the needs of the
population.
❖ Food security can be affected by military conflict, as a result that they are
unable to farm land.
❖ With changing weather patterns, some areas getting colder or drier, while
some getting warmer and wetter, it affects the type of crops we will be able to
grow.
❖ Lack of food can be extremely devastating to humans and animals.

Any relevant answers should be credited

3.1.3. Human trafficking

❖ Human trafficking is the taking of people against their will.

❖ It can be forcing people to work without pay.
❖ Women and children are the most often trafficked.
❖ Local gangs and corrupt police officers organize and facilitate these acts.
Any relevant answers should be credited

3.1.4. Substance abuse

❖ Substance abuse refers to the abuse by people of drugs and alcohol.

❖ People who abuse substances become addicted to them and will do
anything to maintain their habits.
❖ Addicts are caused to rob, steal and murder in order to get money for the
next fix.
❖ Substance abuse can lead to break up of families.
❖ It causes the abuse of children and partners in a relationship as well as loss
of employment.
 Any relevant answers should be credited

3.1.5. Xenophobia’s manifestation

❖ Xenophobia means a fear of strangers.

❖ Xenophobia is a global problem
❖ It can be any fear of someone who is different from us.
❖ Being hostile to others who are not from our country.
❖ Xenophobia manifest itself in hate speech against people with different culture.
Any relevant response should be credited

Question 4

4.1. The nature of the Origins of religions

4.1.1. Buddhism

❖ Early 20th century an Indian Buddhist arrived in Natal.

❖ They were attracted by some flowers.
❖ Started Natal Buddhist society.
❖ Late 1960s popularity spread mainly among white community.
❖ Buddhist missionaries to South Africa helped to spread Buddhism to main
centers.

4.1.2. Christianity

❖ During the 15th and 16th centuries, Christians European travelers to the half way
station at Cape Town.
❖ During 17th century, the Dutch settlers brought protestant form of Christianity.
❖ They were enforced conversion of servants and slaves.
❖ 18th century British colonial occupation established Christianity in all Major
centers.
❖ From 19th century, European and American missionaries started extensive
missionary work, schools and hospitals.
 ❖ All these were built in urban and rural areas of S.A.
❖ Later came the development of African Initiated Churches.

4.1.3. Hinduism

❖ First Hindus came to S.A. in the 19 th century as contract workers.

❖ They were workers at sugar cane farms in Kwazulu Natal.
❖ Many became settlers after their contracts expired.
❖ Other Indian traders, businessmen and few professionals later immigrated.
❖ Gandhi was among this group.
❖ His historical importance to S.A, India and the world’s peace movement.
❖ First Hindu temples built temples built in Pietermaritzburg and Durban from
1860’s.

4.1.4. Islam

❖ Indonesian prisoners brought by Dutch Colonial masters to the Cape.

❖ End of the 18th century, Tuan Guru released from Ruben Island.
❖ He wrote down the Quran from memory.
❖ He founded first Mosque and Madrassah.
❖ By the middle 19th century, one third of the population of Cape Town was
Muslims.
❖ Beginning 20th century, Muslims from India settled as traders and business
people in Natal and rest of South Africa.

4.1.5. Judaism

❖ Two groups of Jewish immigrants to S.A. during the 19 th and 20th centuries.
❖ First from Britain, Germany and Holland.
❖ There is impact of wool industry in the Eastern Cape and the sugar and cotton
farming in Natal.
❖ Second were Jewish people fleeing persecution in Eastern Europe.
❖ They worked on the South African mines in Kimberly and Johannesburg and
Ostrich feather industry in Oudtshoorn.
❖ Many became travelling merchants to other towns.
❖ They established Jewish Faith Communities with their synagogues.