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Kgomotso Seroka. Grade 11.1

Religion Studies Project. Term 1.

Question 1:

1.1.1) Indigenous Religions:

-These are religions already existing in an area or community, not
brought from another place, country or continent.
-Some indigenous religions possess a Holistic Worldview. It
acknowledges the correlation between the physical, spiritual and social
aspects of life.

Extinct Ancient Religions:

-It refers to a belief system and practice that was relevant in ancient
cultures but has since disappeared or been replaced.
-Religions of Egypt, Ancient Mesopatamia, Ancient Greek, Aztec Religions
and Ancient Rome are said to be extinct due to their disappearance from
the world.

1.2.1) –Labourers were brought from India to be enslaved in the different parts
of the world that had been colonized.
-They were also brought to work on plantation farms. The labourers were often
Hindu and/or Muslim.

1.2.2) -By relying on each other during these times, they formed close
communities and shares their religious beliefs as a means of surviving.
-They kept to their original traditional practices even through this colonial time.
-They adapted to new religious practices and incorporated new customs but
still kept the values and beliefs of their religions to the core.

1.3) –Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, AKA Mahatma Gandhi worked in South

Africa fight against injustice and the division of classes between the different
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races. He organised non-violent protests to promote equality and get rid of the
discrimination.
-In 1906 he was in charge of a mass meeting in Johannesburg (Gauteng), South
Africa to peacefully protest a law that required disadvantaged races to carry
around passes as forms of identification that would specify their race and
where they lie in the class groups.
-He was arrested and sent to prison in 1906 for not abiding by the pass laws
and kept at the Old Fort Prison Complex. He was sent to prison twice in 1908 at
Volkrust, Pretoria in 1909 and Volkrust again in 1913. The longest he spent in
prison was 9 months during his arrest in 1913.
-One of his most notable contributions was his development of the Satyagraha;
non-violent resistence. With this, he believed that peaceful resistance of
discriminatory laws could make an impact and bring change without being
violent.
-He participated in the Second Anglo-Boer war and supported the British was
efforts. Although this decision was heavily criticised, Gandhi believed that his
participation in the war could help him demonstrate loyalty and the worth of
Indian people in South Africa.
-Mhatma Gandhi’s activism during 21 years in South Africa (1893-1914)) was a
major influence to the fight against Apartheid. His idea of non-violent
resistance inspired many anti-apartheid activists like Nelson Mandela. Today,
Gandhi is remembered as a pioneer within the fight against racial
discrimination and oppression and what he contributed to the struggle against
apartheid.

1.4) Differences and Similarities between the Abrahamic Religions [Christianity,

Islam, Judaism]
Differences: Similarities:
-How they view Jesus Christ: In -Monotheism: All three religions
Christianity he is the Son of God, in believe in the existence of one God,
Islam he is a prophet and in Judaism who is the creator of the universe
he is the Messiah. and the source of moral guidance.
-The concept of God: In Christianity -Abrahamic Heritage: They all trace
God is a trinity (the father, son and their roots back to the patriarch
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holy spirit), in Islam god/Allah is an Abrahamic, who is considered a key

end invisible while in Judaism figure in the history of the religions.
God/Yahweh is one and unique.
-Scripture: In Christianity the -Importance of prayer and worship:
scriptures are derived from the Holy Prayer and worship are essential
Bible, in Islam from the Quran and in components of the religions. Muslims
Judaism from the Tanakh. perform the 5 daily prayers, Jews
pray 3 times a day and Christians pray
through various forms of worship,
each done daily.
-Salvation and Afterlife: In -Moral Code and Ethics: The
Christianity, salvation is through faith importance of justice, compassion,
in Jesus Christ with eternal life in honesty and respect for human life.
heaven or hell. In the Islamic religion, The Golden Rule “Do unto others as
salvation is through submitting to you would have them do to you” is a
Allah’s will and good deeds with common principle found in all three
Paradise/Jannah or Hell/Jahannan. In religions
Judaism, salvation is through *Love your neighbour as you love
following the Torah and good deeds yourself, Mark 12:31.
with eternal life in the world to come
(Olam ha-B).

1.5.1) –In South Africa, African religion first developed among the San-
Bushmen. These were influenced by their hunter gatherer way of life.
-Rock painting or art is thought to show aspects of their beliefs and
worldview (affirm publically) the existence of a transcendent (to go beyond
limit) divine or spiritual dimensions of reality.
-Although there are no written records or scripture to give information,
they were passed from generation to generation verbally and their religious
practices. The Khoikhoi were closely related to the San-Bushmen but most of
them kept cattle. They have intermarried with the other groups over the
centuries. The San-Bushmen or Khoi-African have been ensured.

1.5.2) –They were more concerned about successful farming than hunting.
They prayed for good harvests and freedom from storms, theft, wild animals,
droughts, floods, insect plagues, and crop and animal diseases.
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-As people and animals lived closely together, germs and viruses moved from
animals to people and spread easier in bigger, closer communities. People
worried about their own and their children’s health and they turned to the
spirits for help. Just as they couldn’t afford full-time priest so they could also
not afford full-time healers.
-Whenever there were food shortages, conflict between villages was common
and neighbouring villages would often attack one another. They prayed for
protection from theft and for help against their enemies

1.5.3) –States are a relatively recent development in human history. A state

society is a large grouping of cities and villages united by culture, religion and
government. Currently, they seem to be the most successful form of large-scale
social organisation with different religions.
-Cities formed the centre of these states and it was from there that the
king or queen of the state ruled. They collected taxes from the people and
formed permanent armies to keep enemies at bay and to enforce laws.
Religious leaders and priests worked in partnership with the kings and queens
to manage society.
-Ordinary people still worshipped a variety of deities to support them in
their daily lives but these practice and beliefs became organised more formally
by the priesthood. This continued for almost 6000 years before changes led to
a new social form, the modern technological state.

Question 2.
2.1.1) Proselytising and Evangelism:
-Proselytising is similar to evangelising but it has stronger meaning, and
sometimes involves forcing others to convert to another religion. Proselytisers
have ever been known to use violence –violating and destroying places of
worship, sacred symbols and texts of other religions.
-Evangelism is about sharing information about a set of beliefs of a particular
religion with others who do not hold those beliefs. Those who do this are
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called Evangelists and they either do this work in their home country or as
missionaries in other countries.
2.1.2) Syncretism and Ecumenism:
-When one religion incorporates the teachings, beliefs or practices of another
religion it is known as Syncretism. It can happen in two ways- when two or
more religions are blended into a new form, or by incorporating beliefs from
other religions into one’s religion. This can happen when a number of religions
coexist in a geographical area, or when a conquering group with its religions
does not eradicate the religion of the conquered people.
-Ecumenism is derived from the Greek word ‘Oikoumene’ which means the
whole inhabited world. It was originally used to refer to advancing a vision of
unity among the different Christian church communities that had formed after
the death of Jesus. A number of Ecumenical councils were called to determine
common beliefs and practices for the Christian churches.

2.2) –It was to create a unity among the different Christian churches that
formed after Jesus’ death.
-It refers to activities aimed at finding unity and cooperation between
Christian denominations.
2.3) –It helps to resolve conflicts.
-It promotes peaceful co-existence among all people.
-It helps care for the environment.
2.4) Step 1: When there is harmony between religion, society and the natural
environment. Buddhism is an example as it emphasizes the interconnectedness
of living beings and living in harmony with the natural world.
Step 2: When there are changes in society or natural environment, and these
make a few members uncomfortable and start to question their worldview or
religious beliefs. The Islamic religion has had to adapt to changes in societal
attitudes towards women’s right.
Step 3: When many people start to feel uncomfortable. And to realise that their
religious or cultural practices and beliefs are no longer making sense in their
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lives. ATR has suffered from the influence of colonialism and it has led to a
decline in traditional practices among younger generations.

Question 3.

3.1) -The cross/crucifix is a symbol of Christianity. It represents the central

belief of Christianity- that Jesus died on a cross to save humankind from their
sins.
-The sign of the fish is another important sign. A very ancient Christian
symbol dating back to the 1st century CE when it was dangerous to be a
Christian. It served as a secret sign.
3.2) –Islam prohibits idolatry. Depicting living creatures could be seen as a form
of idolatry.
-So that the focus is on Allah only. Mosques are a space of worship for Allah so
the absence of images and statues helps maintain the focus on him.

Bibliography:
-Top Class Religion Studies Grade 11.
-Meta Ai.
-South African History Online.
-Study.com.
-The Holy Bible [NIV].