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Home / Religious & Moral Education / BECE Past Questions & Answers – 2006 (RME)

BECE Past Questions & Answers – 2006 (RME)

SECTIONB ESSAY
1 hour

Answer threequestionsonlyfrom this section, choosingonequestion from eachpart
Creditwill be given for clarity of expression and orderly presentation ofmaterial

PART I RELIGION
Answer onequestion onlyfrom this part

1. (a) (b) Explainfive attributes of God from theChristian point of view
Statetwo moral implications of the attributes of God mentioned in (a)

2.
(a)
Writefive important facts about thelifeof one ofthe followingpersonalities
(i) TohaZie
(ii) TogbeTsali
(iii) TweneboaKodua

(b)
Whatthreelessons could belearnt from the lifeof thepersonality you wrote about in (a)?

3.
(a) (b)
Describethemodeof prayerineitherIslam or African Traditional Religion. Mention threereasons whypeopletakepart in worship

PART II MORAL LIFE
Answer onequestion onlyfrom this part

4. (a) (b) Explainfour ways bywhich people showtheircommitment to God
Givethreereasons whycommitment to one‟sfamilyis necessary

5.
(a) (b)
Outlinefive habits which constitute good manners.
State four benefits of showing good manners in the community

6.
(a) (b)
Explainfour types of rewards available to thosewho putup good behavior. Statethreeacts which areconsideredas baddeeds

PART III SOCIAL LIFE
Answer onequestion onlyfrom this part.

7. (a) (b) Givefour reasons whyoneshould support religious groups with one‟smoney.
Listfour instances wheresuch monies aremisused byreligious leaders

8.
(a) (b)
Explainfive functions of a religious organization
Whattwo problems do religious organizations face? CLICK TO VIEW ANSWERS TO PART 2

SOLUTIONS

SECTIONB

ESSAY

1. (a) Attributes ofGod fromthe Christian point ofview
(i) Omnipotent – God is allpowerful. Heis capableofdoing allthings
(ii) Omniscient – God is allknowing. Heknows everything, in both the spiritual and physicalrealms, regardless of the place/time/ subject matter
(iii) Omnipresent – God is everywhere(in theentire universe) atalltimes. There‟s
nothingdone anywherethat he cannot see.
(iv) Merciful /Compassionate – God does not punishpeople as theydeserveto be. He allows his children to confess their sins and repent, then, He forgives them.
(v) Gracious– God gives people good things that theydon‟teven deserve/ merit, if only
theyhavefaith and trust in him.
(vi) Just /Rewarder – God rewards thosewho dogood and punishes thosewho do evil. (vii) Creator– God created the whole universe and allthat itcontains, both in thespiritual
and physical realms
(viii) Love– God is unconditionallylovingand Hehimself is the embodiment oflove
(ix) Most Holy /Righteous– Thereis no sin in God.God has never committed wrong, does not commitwrong and will never ever commitwrong
(x) Longsuffering– God is patient towards his children. Hedoes notgive up on them
(xi) Provider/ Generous / Kind– Hegives freelyandabundantlyto thosehewants to give to
(xii) Sovereign– God does whatever Hepleases. No one can instruct /forceHim to do
what Hedoes not want to do
(xiii) Protector– Heprotects His children from harm, either byHis presenceorbyHis angels.
(xiv) Immortal / Eternal /Everlasting– God has alwaysexisted (been there)and will continuallyexistwithoutend / forever
(xv) Dependable– God does not failanyonewho chooses to trust / depend on Him
(xvi) Life-Giver– God is thegiverof lifeto theliving.He canalso takeback thelifeHe gives asand whenHewants

(b) Moral implications oftheattributes ofGodmentioned in(a)

(i) Omnipotent – We, his children, also havethe talents/ potential. Wemusttherefore work hard to identifyandsharpen ourskills/ talents/ potentials in order to usethem to do great thingsformankind
(ii) Omniscient – God‟schildren also havethe abilitytoknow and do alotof things. We mustthereforestudyharder in order togain moreknowledge forgreaterworks
(iii) Omnipresent – SinceGod is everywhere, Hesees all that wedo whethergood or bad. Wemustthereforebe careful to do the right thing, whether inpublicor in private.
(iv) Merciful /Compassionate – Wmustbemercifulto (forgive)others, so that God would also forgive us when wesin againstHim
(v) Gracious– Wemustbewillingto help others even if wethink theydon‟tdeserveit
(vi) Creator– We, God‟schildren, also havecreativeabilities within us. Wemust learn to be innovative and creative and offer solutions to problems aroundus
(vii) Love– Wemustlove one another, justas God has loved us
(viii) Most Holy /Righteous– Wemustendeavourtobeupright in allourways. Wemust do the right things at theright time, in the right wayand under theright circumstances.
(ix) Longsuffering– Wemust be patient and tolerantwith others
(x) Provider/ Generous / Kind–Wemustbehelp and give to otherswillinglyand cheerfully
(xi) Sovereign– Everyonehas rights, which must be protected andrespected.
(xii) Protector– Wemustoffer securityforothers,especiallyouryounger siblings/
friends, justas God alsoprotects ushis children
(xiii) Immortal / Eternal /Everlasting– Whatever wedo, we mustthink ofthe future implications forposterity(futuregenerations), andnot just forour selfish interest today.
(xiv) Dependable– Wemust also be trustworthyand dependable, just as our heavenly
Fatheris.
(xv) Life-Giver– Wemustfollow God‟sprinciples with respect to childbirth. Wemust waitto get married beforegivingbirth.

2. (a) Important facts about thelives ofthefollowingpersonalities

(i) Toha Zie
– TohaZie means thered hunter
– Heis believed to havemigrated from Tunga (eastofLakeChad)to Zamfarain northern Nigeria, through Mali
– Hewasagreat warriorwho fought in war with theMalian king.
– Hemarried PagaWabga,oneof thedaughters oftheMalian king.
– Heis the ancestor who led the final southwesternmigration fromBawku, at
Ghana’s northeastern border, to present-dayDagbon.
– His grandson, NaaGbewaa, is considered the common ancestor oftheDagomba and two relatedgroups, theNanumbaand the Mamprussi.
– His greatgrandson, Sitobu, NaaGbewaa’s son, is the father ofDagomba and the man who begat the royallineageof thechiefs of Dagbon.
– TohaZie is believed to have fired an arrow into astrangebeast which had previouslykilled severalpeople

– He risked his lifeto savehis people

(ii) TogbeTsali
– Hewasapowerful traditional priest of theAnlo traditional area
– Hewasamember of theTsiame royal clan
– His ancestral backgroundcould be traced to Notsie in between Togoand
Benin
– Hewasahunter andafarmerbyprofession
– Hehad no children
– Hepossessed manymagical powers
– Heusedhismanypowers to cause KingAgorkoliand his elders to fallintoa deep sleep overnight
– Hehelped theAnlos to escapefrom KingAgorkoliof Notsie; thus bringing
freedom to his people
– Heturned his people intoseveral mice
– Heturned thefootprints of his people backwardsso as to prevent their enemies from attackingthem
– His people always looked up to him for assistance and direction
– Heunited his people as onegroup
– Hephysicallyprovided food and meat fortheneedy
– Hesacrificed his comforts forthe sakeofhis people
– He could cause rain to fallon onlyhis farm
– Hesacrificed his comforts forthe sakeof his people
– Hebuilt manyshrines wherehis peopleconsultedhimfor assistance
– Beforehis death, he removed his upper and lowerjaws andinstructed his people to usethem as foundation stones to build two separate fetish houses (shrines)to his memory
– Hewaschopped into pieces andthrown into ariver, but was later found loiteringaroundthe river
– A festival, Hogbetsotso, is celebrated in his honour
– Heis now considered agod who is invoked and worshipped.

(iii) Tweneboa Kodua
– Hewas thechiefof Kumawu
– Hewasawarrior
– Heis regarded as oneof thebravestchiefs of theAsantes
– Inawar between the Asantes and the Denkyiras, hewas forbidden to shoot though hewas fullyarmed
– Heoffered himself to besacrificed in orderforhispeople to win awar
– His death spirituallyhelped the Asantes to defeat theDenkyiras
– Okomfo Anokyehad predicted that unless Tweneboah Koduawasgunned down, theAsantes couldnot win thewar
– His patriotic natureled tothe raisingof Kumawu to aparamouncystatus
– Heinstructed that no Kumawu citizen bepunished with death penalty, irrespectiveof his crimebecause he, TweneboahKodua, had diedforthem once and for all
– As a result of his death, allnatives of Kumawu aregiven tribal marks to signifythat, theyaredescendants of TweneboahKodua.

(b) Lessons that could belearnt fromthe lifeof:
Egya(Osofo) Ahor / Okomfo Anokye/ TogbeTsali
(i) Love
(ii) Selflessness
(iii) Spiritual strength
(iv) Sacrifice (v) Patriotism (vi) Commitment
(vii) Bravery/ courage
(viii) Kindness
(ix) Commitment
(x) Hardwork
(xi) Peacemaking

3. (a) Themodeof prayerinIslam.

Introduction:
The ablution (wuzu)mustbeperformed beforeeverysalat
Theprayer session comprises a numberof movements / positions.
Each movement is always preceded bythe phrase„AllahuAkbar‟(God isGreat).
This indicates to followers ofthe prayer that theleader isabout to makethenext movement.

Takbir (Starting position)
Muslims facetowards theQibla in Mecca and makethe intention to pray.To begin theact of
prayer, theysay’AllahuAkbar’meaning God is great, raisingthe hands to the ears or shoulder.

Qiyaam (Standingposition)
Muslims placetheir righthand over their left on their chest or navel whilein the standing position
A short supplication glorifyingGodand seeking His protection is read.

Qiraat (Recitation fromQuran)
Muslims recite Surah Al Fatiha, which is thefirst chapterin theQur’an. Verses from any another chapterarethenrecited.

Ruku (Bowingposition)
TheMuslimbows down, puttingthe hands on theknees andsays’glorybeto God, theMost
Great’, threetimes.

Qiyaam (Standingposition)
Whilemovinginto the upright position, Muslimsrecite’God listens to theonewho praises Him’and whilein thestandingposition, ‘To Godbelongs all praise’then isrecited.’God is Great’is recited again. Hands arelooselyat thesides this time.

Sujud (Prostrating position)

Sujud means to prostrate.Whilein theprostration position ‘Glorybeto God, the Most High’ is repeated threetimes. Palms, knees, toes, forehead and nosemustbetheonlybodyparts touchingtheground.

Qa’da-i-Akhira (Sitting position)
‘God is Great’is recitedwhile movingto thesittingposition. Muslims pausehere forafew seconds, either stayingsilent, or recitingashorterprayer.’God is Great’is recited oncemore as the sujud position is taken again.

Sujud (Prostrating position)
This sujud is the same as the first one.
Afterreciting ‘Glorybeto God, theMostHigh’, one’raka’ah’, or unitis complete.

Tashahhud
AftersayingGod is Great, Muslims return to thesittingposition. Theyreciteaset number of short prayers in Arabic, praisingGod,and sending peaceon the Prophet. Theyrepeat the declaration of faith, raisingthe forefinger oftheirright hand, in order to act as awitness.

Theythen ask God to bestow blessings andpeaceupon Prophet Abrahamand his family, and ask forthe same forProphet Muhammad. Finally,Muslims ask for forgiveness and mercy, and ask God to bless them and their children until theDayof Judgement.

Peaceto the right
To end the prayer, Muslims first turn their faceto the right saying ‘Peacebeuponyou, and the mercyand blessingsofAllah.’
(This is said to theAngels who Muslims believeaccompany each human being to record their
actions)

Peaceto theleft
‘Peacebeuponyou, and themercyand blessings of Allah’is repeated turningto theleft side now.
(Muslims believetheAngel on therightside records all good actions and thoughts, while the oneon the leftrecords all bad actions.)

Themodeof prayerinAfrican Traditional Religion
– Libation is a waybywhich people prayto a deity
– Libation maybeoffered byan individual on his behalf alone or on behalfofagroupof people
– Libations areusuallyoffered atfestivals, naming ceremonies,engagements, marriage ceremonies,etc
– Thosewho qualifyto offer libation include familyheads, linguists, chiefs, fetish priests,
etc
– Libation is offered to theancestors, lessergods and spiritsand to theSupreme God
– Theonewho offers thelibation must remove his hat and footwear asasignof respect to the deityorancestors andstands in front of theothermembers of thepraying group
– Theprayers aresaid aloud to thehearingofallthosepresent
– The right hand is used inthe offeringof libation

– The followingprocedures are followed:
(i) Prelude : the capturingof theattention / consent of the objects of worship (ii)Invocation: the spirits areinvoked through rendering appellations and praise (iii)Petition: petitions / requestsaremadeunto thedeity/ ancestor to which the
prayers arebeing rendered
(iv)Conclusion: Usuallymarked byrequest for curses uponenemies andblessings upon sympathizers

(b) Reasons why people takepart in worship

(i) To obeyGod‟scommandto worship himat all times (ii) To thank God forhis kindness and other blessings (iii) To praise God for his mightyworks
(iv) To reverence and respectGod
(v) To request forGod‟sguidance, favour,protection, preservation, etc
(vi) To confess their sins andask for forgiveness
(vii) To purifytheir hearts andconsecrate themselves
(viii) To intercedeon behalf ofothers
(ix) To fellowship with God and strengthen theirrelationship with Him
(x) To fellowship with otherworshippers
(xi) To gain spiritual strengthand vitality
(xii) To show obedience and submission to God
(xiii) To guard againstsin and wrongdoing (xiv) To stayfaithful and committed to God (xv) To help others who arein need
(xvi) To purifyhim/herself

4. (a) Ways by which people showtheir commitmentto God
(i) Attendingworship sessions (at church /mosque/ shrine) as often as onehasto
(ii) Prayingto God in thevarious waysas prescribed byone‟sreligion
(iii) Studying and obeyingtheScriptures or traditions of one‟sreligion
(iv) Givingoffering, tithes, sacrifices andother contributions to the church
/ mosque/ shrine
(v) Singing and dancingin praise / worship to God
(vi) Sharingthe principles oftheirfaith with others inorder to encouragethemto join
(vii) Forgivingothers who offend them in anyway
(viii) Offeringvarious kinds ofhelp (financial /material/ social, etc)to thosewho need it
(ix) Repentingof their sins and livingan upright life
(x) Servingthechurch / mosque/ shrine byworkingin oneof their department

(b) Reasons why commitment to one’s family is necessary (x) It strengthens thebond amongfamilymembers (xi) It helps members to progress steadilyin life
(xii) Familymembers can behelped in times ofneed
(xiii) It boosts members‟ selfworth and confidence

(xiv) It creates peace, loveandharmony
(xv) It makes the familyunited and strong
(xvi) Itgives thefamilyagood reputation in society
(xvii) It helps members to haveapeaceful mind in orderto work effectively
(xviii)Familymembersget to learn and showgood moraland behavior.

5. (a) Habits whichconstitutegoodmanners.

(i) Greetingandrespecting others
(ii) Helpingtheelderlywiththeirload
(iii) Offeringone‟sseat to the elderly
(iv) Puttingone‟shands behind him/ herwhen speakingwith the elderly
(v) Usingpolite language, such as „please‟,„thankyou‟and „sorry‟when speakingto
others
(vi) Usingthe proper modesofgreeting, suchremovingone‟shat, usingthe righthand,
lowering one‟scloth / bowingbeforea chief, etc (vii) Doingone‟sschool chores diligentlyand faithfully (viii) Dressingmodestlyand decently
(ix) Avoidingallforms of social vices, suchas prostitution, drugabuse, armedrobbery, etc.
(x) Exercisingself-control over one‟sdesires or temper (xi) Assisting/ helpingfriends whenever theyneed help. (xii) Doingone‟shouse chores diligentlyand faithfully (xiii) Obeying good instructions from elderlypeople
(xiv) Disposingof litterin a proper way
(xv) Keepingour bodiesand surroundingscleanand tidyatalltimes

(b) Benefits ofshowing goodmanners inthe community

(xiv)It brings honourand respectto the personand his/ her family
(xv) It creates peaceand harmonyin the community
(xvi)It makes onegain muchfavour and helpfrom various people. (xvii)It makesiteasyforoneto makegood friends.
(xviii) It creates unityand asenseof togetherness in the community
(xix)It promotesrapid development of the community
(xx) Itgives the person ahighsocial reputation (howsocietysees one)
(xxi)Theperson builds up a high selfesteem /confidence (how onesees him/herself) (xxii)It brings peaceof mind (sound mind) to focus on education.
(xxiii) Thereis a higher chanceof attractingresponsible partner for marriage
(xxiv) It creates asenseof satisfaction and joyin people
(xxv)It brings spiritual blessings
(xxvi) It can open up several good opportunities forthe person

6. (a) Types ofrewards available to those who put upgood behavior.

(i) Bookawards– Books or other educational material, usuallygivenat schools‟Speech
and Prize-givingceremonies, especiallyto pupils for excellent academicperformance. (ii) Cash prizes– Amounts of moneygiven as areward fora commendable
accomplishment
(iii) Certificates–Formal documents, usuallyusingacard,given in recognition of the successful completion ofaparticular courseor examination.
(iv) Promotion– A raise (anelevation) of theclass /status / level/position ofsomeone after havingdonesatisfactorywork at theprevious stage.
(v) Verbalappreciation– Words spoken, either to theperson aloneor to thehearingof
everyone, toacknowledgeagood / commendablework bythat person
(vi) Recommendation– An expression ofsupport / endorsement / approvalfor someone to another party.Itcould be either verbal or written
(vii) Scholarship– Financial help /an amountof moneyawarded to someoneto pursue
furtherstudies
(viii) Goodtestimonial– A favourable report on thequalities andvirtues of someone
(ix) Citation– An official document orspeech that lauds someone, especiallydueto his/
her achievement.
(x) Praise– Words that express approval oradmiration for someoneor one‟swork.
(xi) Medals– asmall flat pieceof metal, usuallyshaped likea coin and stamped with an inscription or design,awarded to somebodyfor outstanding
(xii) Holiday – An exemptionperiod from regularor routinework
(xiii) Party – asocial gatheringto which people areinvited in order to enjoythemselves and often celebrate somethingor someone.
(xiv) A pleasurable experience, such as takingoneout fordinner,givingonean opportunityto travel forholidays, etc

(b) Acts which are consideredas bad deeds
(xx) Abusingdrugs (xxi) Prostitution (xxii) Armed robbery
(xxiii)Havingpre-marital sex
(xxiv) Tellinglies
(xxv) Insultingothers
(xxvi) Showingdisrespect to / disregard for others (xxvii)Beinglateto school / church / other engagements (xxviii)Beingirregularat school / church
(xxix) Refusingto do one‟shomework or not doingitproperly
(xxx) Refusingto do one‟shouseor school work/chores
(xxxi) Dressingindecently/ inappropriately
(xxxii)Performingbadlyin one‟stest or examination
(xxxiii)Refusingto help peoplewhen theyneed help which onecan provide. (xxxiv)Disobeyinginstructions from elderlypeople
(xxxv)Refusingto surrender one‟sseat for an elderlyperson
(xxxvi)Indiscriminate litteringof the environment
(xxxvii) Keepingour bodiesand surroundings dirty
(xxxviii) Wastingwaterand electricity.

7. (a) Reasons why oneshouldsupport religious groupswith one’s money.
(i) To obeyGod‟scommands
(ii) To attract theblessings of God
(iii) To express one‟scommitment to the religiousgroup
(iv) To help cater forthe needs of the church/mosque/shrine
(v) To help paythe salaries /allowances of the fulltime religious workers
(vi) To help to support the poor and needyin thegroup
(vii) To support thedevelopment andgrowth of thereligiousgroup (viii) To help promotethe education and trainingof religious workers (ix) To help with the missionarywork of thegroup
(x) To help thegroup to payits bills or meet itsfinancial obligations

(b) Instances wheresuchmonies are misused by religious leaders
(xi) When the leaders spendmoston the moneyon themselves, rather than forthe purpose forwhich the monies weregiven
(xii) When monies arespent on things which arenot inthechurch‟sbudget
(xiii) When monies arespent on things considered unnecessary, simplybecause thereseem to be alotof moneyavailable to spend
(xiv) When monies areused for briberyandcorruption
(xv) When the monies meant forspecificpurposesare diverted into otherareas (xvi) When thereis embezzlement of funds byan individual oragroupofpeople (xvii) When monies areused for litigations
(xviii)When the funds keep pilingwhile needyand poormembers keep suffering
(xix) When invoices areoverstated
(xx) When proper financial records arenotkept properly

8. (a) Functionsofa religious youth organization
(i) To promotepeace, loveand harmonyamongpeople
(ii) To educate thememberson the foundation and historical background oftheir religion
(iii) To teach members theprinciples, values anddoctrines of the religion
(iv) To help members togrow spiritually
(v) To support theneedyandunderprivileged in society
(vi) To help with seculareducation (both formal and informal)ofpeople
(vii) To create theopportunityformembers to discoverand develop their talents and potentials
(viii) To give members theopportunityto socializein a healthyenvironment
(ix) To help memberto keeptheirphysical bodies fit and strong
(x) To create theopportunityformembers to learn vocational and other practical skills which could be ofcommercial value
(xi) To train members to become futureleaders
(xii) To give members the chanceto exploreotherplaces outside theirlocalities.

(b) Problems that religious youth organizations face

(i) Inadequate funds for programs and activities
(ii) Lack of sufficient support from the mother organization / group
(iii) Interferencefrom the community
(iv) Insufficient time andchance forthevarious activities (v) Lack ofcommitment ofsomeleadersand members (vi) Internal inter-personal conflicts and disagreements (vii) Embezzlement of funds
(viii) Indiscipline /Indecent behaviour ofsomemembers andleaders

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