NATIONAL MOCK EXAMINATION 2023
RELIGIOUS EDUCATION 0588/2
PAPER 2
DURATION 2HRS 30MINUTES
MARKS: 100
MARKING GUIDE
1
1. Discuss ways in which authority is of great importance in the society. (25)
1.It frees people from social ills and misconducts by guiding and counselling them so
that their subjects would not defy rules and laws of the religion and or society, for
instance Christianity has ethical codes which teaches their followers acceptable
behaviour, eg, the Ten Commandments such as do not steal or murder. This helps the
society to know the difference between right and wrong thus making the society to be
a better place to live in as people will easily obey the rules set in the society. However,
the rules might bring blind obedience and some rules can be very oppressive.
Authority unites people thereby helping them to live together cooperatively and
peacefully. Through festivals in religions eg, Christmas in Christianity people meet
and get to know each other better. This helps them to relate well in the society.
However it may cause division if there is favouritism from leadership.
2.Maintains peace and order, Christian leaders ensure compliance to the rules of
Christianity guided by their teachings and ethical laws.
However, some leaders can abuse power eg use church funds and resources for their
personal needs and also manipulate followers into a certain way of thinking.
3.Promotes fairness and reconciliation based on Christian teachings and values,
however authority can divide followers by favouritism or biasness of those in
leadership. Some leaders can endanger lives of followers ie false priests sexually abuse
followers and cheat them out of their hard earned belongings.
2
2. Discuss how modern developments have positively affected sacred places in
Botswana. (25)
1.Conservation of the place
Through developments such as fencing hence the places preserve their original state,
eg, graveyards. Places like Moremi Gorge and Tsodilo Hills are also fenced which
keeps them clean thereby attracting tourists as their beauty is conserved. This tourism
brings in money which can help in further developing the sacred place.
However, the place can lose its holiness as some people may disregard taboos
associated with these places and visit them and this may render them profane.
2.Provision of infrastructural development
Developments such as roads, are constructed at or around some sacred places to make
them easily accessible. E.g. construction of roads has made it easier to visit Tsodilo
Hills and Moremi Gorge.
However, some of the sacred places such as graveyards may be relocated due to some
of these developments which may anger the ancestors and make the place to lose its
sacredness.
3.Security – CCTV cameras and security guards
3
3. Assess the importance of religious tolerance in the contemporary world. (25)
1.Enhance peaceful coexistence of people in the society through various religious
teachings
eg, Christianity teaches that all are created equal in the eyes of God, and it is further
emphasized that there is neither slave nor free, male or female for you are all one in
Christ Jesus. Bahai faith teaches the Three Oneness. This encourages people to accept
and appreciate any other person around irrespective of whom they are or which religion
they follow. However, some conflicts may arise as some may want things to be always
done their way and fail to acknowledge equality of all.
2.Religious tolerance may promote unity and social cohesion which enhances the spirit
of togetherness
e.g, Bahai faith promotes interreligious marriages and appreciates the holy books of
other religions this encourages religious pluralism in which religions coexist peacefully
in one place.
However, this may lead to oppression of others because some may fail to acknowledge
the equal worth of the different religions.
3.Promotes equality through practices
eg, Sikhism (sharing of the langa meal)
4.Shared responsibility –
charitable works, tree planting day, prayer months (HIV/AIDS and cancer)
5.Cultural exchange – help acquire skills eg trading skills from Hinduism and Islam,
Halaal meal, Hindu clothing.
6.Developments brought by religious pluralism
eg economic projects such as schools, shops, financial institutions.
4
4. Discuss two ways in which African Traditional religion in Botswana can positively
influence family life. (25)
1.Extended family promotes collective responsibility of bringing up children
The Tswana set up of the extended family ensures that children are raised by all family
members. They are given moral guidance and advised whenever necessary. E.g,
grandparents teach the norms and values of the religion which promotes morality hence
curbing some social ills such as teenage pregnancy and alcohol abuse as the young
members will always behave well as they will fear punishment eg, fathers and uncles
instill discipline. However, within the extended family structure there could be some
irresponsible elderly family members who may take advantage of the young and abuse
them under the pretext that they are disciplining them. For example, they may sexually
abuse young females.
2.Celebration of ceremonies and festivals promotes unity
During the celebration of some traditional ceremonies and festivals such as the
initiation, child naming and weddings, all members of the family work together, and
some are given some responsibilities to perform. For instance, uncles and aunts play a
crucial role in these ceremonies. In all these celebrations the presence of the living dead
is appreciated in one way or the other. This promotes unity and cooperation in the
family as it gives them the opportunity to interact, bond there by enhancing
relationships. However, the celebration of these ceremonies and festivals can be time
consuming.
3.Sharing of bride wealth
4.Support given to the needy members of the family eg mafisa and majako
5.Practices eg Polygamy, seantlo and thlatswa dirope.
5
5. ‘Religion can be used to oppress people’.
Assess two effects of religion in the contemporary world in relation to the above
statement. (25)
1.Religion can violate people's rights which ends up oppressing them.
For example, some religions such as Islam and Hinduism deny people the right to
association as they are against homosexuality as they believe that it's immoral and
unacceptable. Christianity says a man and a woman shall become one not a man and a
man or woman and a woman, therefore if the religion discriminates them, they may
lose their self-esteem and confidence which can lead to depression hence people will
not practice it in fear of being not accepted in the society.
However, this may lead one to lead a fake life as gays and lesbians will try to hide their
identity and true feelings.
2.Religion can lead to intolerance
One might not accept religions that are different from theirs. This creates religious
fanatics who become obsessed about their religion which can lead to religious wars,
fights and death resulting in a lot of problems including kids becoming orphans. The
government becomes overburdened taking care of those affected.
religious intolerance strengthens one's faith as the followers focus on their religious
beliefs and teachings.
3.Religion can manipulate people into a certain way of thinking
eg in some religions there are fake religious leaders who can make people to give up
their property which can lead to poverty.
6
6. When answering this question, use any of the following religions Islam, Bahai
faith, Buddhism and Hinduism.
Analyse how practices of any of the religion above can help indiscipline in Botswana
schools. (25)
HINDUISM
1.Meditation
Helps one to have self-control, good concentration and focus. This helps avoid
temptations and keeping away from bad behavior such as bully and fighting in schools.
However, meditation can be time consuming for learners as they have schoolwork. It
may also prompt negative thinking.
2.Ahimsa is a practice of non-violence which encourages the sprit love, care and
compassion. It enhances peace among leaners as they interact with each other, however,
lead to exploitation due to kindness.
ISLAM
1.Sharia law
Helps deter bad behavior eg stealing, fornication and gambling which encourages
discipline among students, however punishment is biased as it divides men and women,
it’s also inhuman.
2.Zakat
The needs of the less privileged are taken care of. This curbs bad behavior such as
stealing; however, it can cause dependency syndrome.
3.Fasting
Promotes discipline however it is very difficult for some followers preserve and some
fail due to health issues.
1.Bahai faith
Obligatory prayers – praying once every 24 hours, medium prayers – recited three times
a day. These helps when one is troubled or not well.
2.Reading from scriptures.
3.Meditation.
BUDDHISM
7
1.Meditation (Same as Hinduism)
2.Ahimsa (Same as Hinduism)
