Western Cape Education Department

RELIGION STUDIES
REVISION BOOKLETS
GRADE 11

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 IMPORTANT CONCEPTS

RELIGION • Religion is a system of beliefs and

worship, which expresses the
meaning of life and death.
• Beliefs are reinforced through
rituals, and are passed from
generation to generation orally or
through books
• In religion, people are taught how
they should behave towards the
creator (e.g. worship), towards one
another (e.g. love one another) and
the environment (e.g. take care of
nature and our surroundings)

RELIGION STUDIES • Is the study of similarities and

differences between religions.
Religion Studies leads to the
recognition, understanding,
tolerance and appreciation of
various religions within a
community
RELIGION EDUCATION • Is the teaching given to the people
of a particular religion

INDIGENOUS RELIGIONS • Indigenous religions are the

religions which are not brought by
foreigners but originated where
they are practised.
• Examples: African Traditional
Religion like inkolo yakwa-Ntu, San
and Khoi originated in Africa, Native
American, Celtic religions in
Western Europe and Aboriginal
religion in Australia
• ATR oral stories and teachings are
now being recorded in print and
audio-visual media
EXTINCT ANCIENT RELIGIONS • Extinct ancient religions are very old
religions, which do not exist
anymore.
• Example: Canaanite religion existed
when the Israelites arrived in
 Canaan from Egypt. It does not exist
anymore
TRADITIONAL RELIGION • These are religions which started a
long time ago and still exist.
• They include Abrahamic religions,
Religions of India, Religions of China
and Japan
MISSION • Comes from the Latin word mittere,
which means to send.
• Is associated with Christ’s mission to
send His disciples to spread the
Christian message.
• Refers to all religions that make
deliberate attempts to gain
followers
EVANGELISM • Is a form of mission which focusses
on fallen/non-active or non-
members of their religion rather
than active members.
• It meant to convert one to another
religion.
• For Christians, it is the last
instruction that Jesus gave to His
disciples
ECUMENISM • Is an effort to recover the unity of
Christian churches.
• The coming together of different
churches to work with one another.
• The movement which led to the
formation of SACC/WCC

SYNCRETISM • Comes from the Greek word,

synkretismos
• It means combining of two parties
against a third one.
• It means the combining of two
religions to form a new belief
system.
• It refers to reconciliation of
religions, sometimes resulting in a
new religion being formed
REVITALISATION • revitalize’ means to be renewed, to
find new life and meaning in
something.
 • Is a process of renewing or
refreshing a religion/religious
organization like a church.
• It takes place through a circular
series of steps from harmonious
coexistence, through challenges,
changes, adaptation and back to
harmony.

PROSELYTIZATION • Is derived from a Greek term

’proseluthos’ which means a
stranger or convert.
• A process of converting a person
from one religion/point of view to
another
• Coercive force is often used in the
form of violence / destruction of
worship place, sacred symbols,
scriptures, etc.
• Promise for healing or financial
support can also be used to coerce
the convert.
• Was used by the Jews to convert
gentiles/ non-Jews to Judaism

RELIGIOUS IMPERIALISM/COLON • Imperialism is derived from the

word ‘EMPIRE’, which means a
territory in one country under
absolute control of another.
• Colonialism is derived from the
word, ‘COLONY’, which means a
settlement in one country by the
people of another.
• Therefore, Religious
imperialism/colonialism is when a
powerful country spread her
religion to a country it has absolute
control.
• Example is the Church of England
(Anglican Church) in South Africa
 Religious Revitalisation process with examples

Step 1: When there is harmony between religion, society and the natural environment.
Example: at the beginning the Seven Angels Church started smoothly without any problems
among the members and between the members and the society.

Step 2: When there are changes in society or natural environment, and these changes make
a few members uncomfortable and start to question their world view or religious beliefs.
Example- The society started to forge ecumenism but the Seven Angels Church, refused to
join other churches. Then some Seven Angels Church members and the society began to
question their belief systems.

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 lives.
Example: The Seven Angels Church split and the society chased them out of Centane area
as they started to stop children from attending school.

Step 4: When changes start to occur in the religious or cultural system and these new ideas
and ways are accepted by many people in the culture or religion.
Example: Those who changed adapted to the society and were allowed to remain in the
Centane area.

Step 5: When there is new period of harmony and acceptance.

Example: The remaining splinter group of the Seven Angels Church worship in harmony and
are accepted by the society.
 SYMBOLS

1 What is a symbol?
• A symbol is something which represents/ stands for/ express information that often
cannot be easily explained in words
• Pictures, images, colours, sounds, clothes, smells, gestures, actions, etc. can be used
as symbols

2 Why are symbols important in religion?

• Enable religions to express abstract issues relating to life and death
• Symbols simplify complicated actions or ideas

3 The roles played by symbols

a) Focal symbols
•The word ‘focal’ refers to a central point of attention or interest.
•It• is3 used to focus
The roles belief.by symbols
played
•It is usually a main symbol for a specific religion.
•In Judaism, focal symbols include a star of David and the Menorah
•In Christianity, focal symbols include the cross and the fish.
•In Hinduism, the AUM sign and various deities are focal symbols
•Focal symbols can be oral(heard), for example, the call to prayer by MUEZIZN in Islam, and
the sound ‘OM’ in Hindu meditation.

b) Presentational symbols
•It is something that is similar to the thing it represents.
•For example, a street map is a much smaller representation of the landscape
•In religion, a representational symbol is similar to the thing it stands for.
•In Orthodox Christian Tradition there are paintings on wood, called, icons, in which the
sacred is said to be present.
•The icon of Virgin Mary and baby Jesus is not Mary and Jesus.
•What makes it an icon is the presence of the sacred said to be in the picture.
•An icon can be a sound, a word, a gesture or posture
•For example, when a sound OM is chanted in Hindu practices, it is believed to carry energy.
•When hare Krishna devotees chant the name Krishna, they believe that Krishna is present in
the sound of the chat
Symbols central to various religions, origin, significance and how they are used
Buddhism icon

• The wheel with eight spikes

• Symbolises the Eight Pathway of living.

• To end the suffering caused by unfulfilled desires.

Islam icon

• The moon and star

• Symbol of Islam

• In hot Saudi Arabia people travel at night

• Islam believes that they guide and give light.

Hinduism icon

• This is the sign for the sound OM.

• It is a symbol for Hinduism.

• It is the most sacred sound according to Hindu.

• Another symbol in Hindu is the Murtis (images or statues of gods and goddesses)
 Judaism icon

• Six-pointed star, called magen David

• The star/shield of David

• Symbolises Judaism

• Since the 19th century

• Earlier Menorah, that is, candlestick with seven branches was used in the Tabernacle (sacred
worship tent)

African Religion icon

• African beer Clay pot icon

• ATR symbol /people drink from it when seated in the kraal.

• Associated with rituals about birth, living and death.

• Associated with the ancestors.

Christianity icon

• Icon of the cross, on which Jesus was crucified.

• Represents Jesus victory over death.

• Reminds Christians that Jesus died for them.

• To save humanity from their sin

• Represents the central belief of Christianity.

 The mutual interdependence of religion and social factors

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Hunter-gatherers
Hunting and gathering was a way of life that existed during the early development of
humans.
People stayed in caves.
They ate the bark of trees.
They were nomadic.
They made fire by heating stones against each other.
They ate meat of animals.
During this era there were no huts
The era was known as Stone Age because people used stones to kill animals and make
fire.
Rituals centred around hunting.

Early food producers

People ceased to roam around in search of food, water and shelter.
They began to settle down in permanent communities.
They began with the production of food.
Hunting decreased over time.
They started domesticating animals such as sheep and cows.

Early state society

People were permanently settled in communities.
They grew in size.
More social and political structures were needed.
In many societies this led to the transformation of states where small villages or cities
came under the control of a leader or royal family
All major world religions (Islam. Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism) began in
early state societies.
Large societies like Africa, Europe, India and South America, etc. grew into complex
societies with remarkable cultures and traditions, which traded with other societies over
long distance.
Religious doctrines were formulated.

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Mutual Influence and adaptation between religions

Missionary religions: (Buddhism, Christianity, and Islam)

What are missionary religions?
Missionary religions are the religions which promote their faith/recruit others to join their
religion, through preaching, books, door to door campaign, etc. They also perform ministries
of service such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development.

Non-missionary religions: (African Traditional Religion (ATR), Judaism, Hinduism)

What are non-missionary religions?
Non-missionary religions are the religions which do not recruit people for membership,
because they believe that people are born into their belief system. They practise their
religion as a lifestyle and a way to preserve themselves as people.

African Initiated Churches (AIC)

• They were initiated by African Christian Leaders, at the end of the 1800’s

• These African Christian Leaders were protesting white domination in

churches they belonged to

• After being educated and trained in Missionary Institutions, the African

Christian Leaders were paid less than the white church leaders, with no full
control over church finances.

• Thus, they left the whites-led churches and initiated their own churches,
along the same worship and administrative systems or improved systems.

• The African Christian Leaders were influenced by black Americans, who

were promoting African Identity.

• The AIC were known as Ethiopian Churches.

• The name ‘’Ethiopia’’ was adopted from the Bible (Psalm 68:31) and the
country Ethiopia (in Central Africa)

• Another group of AIC is known as Zionists

• Zionists was influenced by Pentecostal, Baptist, and Apostolic American

churches, which emphasised the power of the Holy Spirit
Sikhism

• Sikhism started by Guru Nanak, in the late 15th Century in Punjab (region in
the border between India and Pakistan)

• Guru Nanak was born in 1469, in Northwest of Lahore (Pakistan City in

Punjab)

• He grew up as a Hindu but was dissatisfied.

• He spent his youth talking to travelling Hindu and Islam holy men.

• At the age of 30 years, he had a spiritual experience, feeling a calling by

God.

• For 20 years, he travelled through India and surrounding countries, visiting

Hindu and Islam holy places.

• He settled in Punjab, as a farmer and gathered a community of disciples.

• He taught that there is only one God, and we are equal in is sight.

• He referred to God, the Creator as the ‘’True Name’’.

• He believed that in both Hinduism and Islam, the truth about God is hidden
by ritual, and people should come closer to God through meditation and
serving others.

• He wrote beautiful devotional hymns, which reflects both Hinduism (cycle

of birth, death, and re-birth) and Islam (belief in one God)

• Before he died in 1539, he chose Guru Angad as his successor.

Building Interreligious dialogue

Inter-religious dialogue: Attitudes of a variety of religions to one another:

Exclusivist view (exclusivism)

• Is the view that one religion alone teaches the truth and is the only way to salvation
and liberation
• Found among Christians, Islam and Buddhism
Example: Only my religion is true, other religions are fake.

Inclusivist view (inclusivism)

• Is the view that all religions may have some truth, but the full truth can only be
found in one’s religion
• Found among Christians and Hindu
Example: Other religions are also valid, but only mine has a full truth

Pluralist view (pluralism)

• Is the view that all religions can lead to salvation, liberation and fulfilment
• All religions are valid and must be equally respected, as they contribute equally to
the search for truth
• Everyone has a right to express beliefs the way they want to
Example: All religions are paths towards the truth and are equally true

Syncretist view (syncretism)

• Is the view that a new religion can be formed by combining the best of the teachings,
beliefs, and practices
Example: One can combine best practices from various religions if none of the existing
religions appeal to him/her
The THREE types of dialogue
Dialogue of life

• It is the most common form of dialogue.

• Refers to the relationships of different faiths developed at home, at school and in

the workplace.

• For example, people celebrate each other’s birthdays, attend each other’ weddings
and are there for each other in times of suffering.

• They do not necessarily discuss religion.

• They draw on values of different belief and traditions and their common humanity.

• In South Africa for instance, the Jewish organisation B’nai Bi’rth.

• members volunteer basic services in hospitals on Christmas Day.

Dialogue of action

• Dialogue depends on mutual understanding and trust.

• Many opportunities of serving the community emerge as people of different faiths

grow in confidence and learn to trust each other.

• The commitment to resist all forms of human injustice.

• To break down the barriers of race, sex and class.

• To challenge unjust social structures

• The commitment to serve community in Education, Health and the social services.

• To struggle against unequal distribution of resources

• To seek to understand the interconnection of peace and justice.

• Interfaith hospices where terminally ill people are cared for.

• Reach out to the homeless, street children and the aged.

• Assist the victims of HIV/AIDS, etc.

Dialogue of discourse

• Usually involves the leaders of different faiths.

• They listen to one another to understand each otherer’s religion at a deeper level.

• To identify points of similarities and differences

• Together they try to resolve modern problems.

• Inter-religious discussions on television, for instance.