Christian Religious Studies Waec Answers 2024

**8.**

**(a) James and the Poor Man**

In the church, James addressed the situation described by saying:

“My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings and fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy garments, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, ‘You sit here in a good place,’ and say to the poor man, ‘You stand there,’ or, ‘Sit here at my feet,’ have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?” (James 2:1-4)

James condemned the practice of showing favoritism to the wealthy and discriminating against the poor. He taught that all believers, regardless of their socioeconomic status, should be treated with respect and dignity.

**(b) Effects on Societal Progress**

The situation of discrimination and prejudice based on wealth can affect the progress of society in three ways:

1. **Social Division:** It creates a divide between the wealthy and the poor, leading to resentment, conflict, and instability.

2. **Economic Inequality:** Discrimination against the poor perpetuates economic inequality and makes it difficult for them to improve their lives. This hinders economic growth and prevents society from reaching its full potential.

3. **Moral Degradation:** The practice of favoring the wealthy over the poor erodes moral values and corrupts society’s ethical foundation. It undermines the principles of justice, equality, and compassion that are essential for a healthy and prosperous society.

(1a)

(PICK ANY THREE)

(i) Heavy Taxation: To fund his numerous building projects, Solomon imposed heavy taxes on the people. This created a financial burden on the citizens and led to widespread dissatisfaction.

(ii) Forced Labor: Solomon conscripted labor from the Israelites for his construction projects. Many people were compelled to work on these projects, which caused resentment and hardship among the population.

(iii) Religious Idolatry: Solomon married many foreign women who brought their own gods and religious practices to Israel. Solomon built altars for these foreign gods, leading to the introduction of idolatry in Israel and weakening the worship of Yahweh.

(iv) Economic Strain: The lavish lifestyle of Solomon’s court and the expenses of his numerous building projects drained the nation’s resources. This economic strain affected the prosperity of the kingdom and the well-being of its citizens.

(v) Political Division: The discontent caused by Solomon’s policies set the stage for political instability. After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam’s decision to continue his harsh policies led to the division of the kingdom into Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom).

(vi) Loss of Tribal Unity: Solomon’s centralization of power and neglect of tribal distinctions led to a loss of unity among the tribes of Israel. This centralization of authority alienated the northern tribes, contributing to the eventual split of the kingdom.

(1b)

(PICK ANY THREE)

(i) Arrogance: Leaders who are arrogant tend to ignore the opinions and needs of others, acting in their own self-interest rather than considering the welfare of those they lead. This attitude creates a disconnect between the leader and the people.

(ii) Inflexibility: Inflexible leaders refuse to adapt to new situations or consider alternative viewpoints. This rigidity can lead to poor decision-making and stifle innovation, causing frustration among followers.

(iii) Lack of Empathy: Leaders who lack empathy do not understand or acknowledge the feelings and challenges of their followers. This insensitivity makes them seem cold and uncaring, leading to dissatisfaction and loss of support.

(iv) Dishonesty: When leaders are dishonest, they lose the trust of their followers. Lies and deceit can lead to a breakdown in communication and a loss of credibility, making it difficult for the leader to gain and maintain support.

(v) Incompetence: Leaders who lack the necessary skills and knowledge to lead effectively are often viewed as incompetent. This incompetence can result in poor decision-making, failure to achieve goals, and a loss of confidence among followers.

(vi) Authoritarianism: Leaders who rule with an iron fist, using fear and intimidation, often become unpopular. This authoritarian approach suppresses free expression and creativity, leading to resentment and rebellion among those they lead.

(2a)

(PICK ANY THREE)

(i) Opposition from Surrounding Peoples: The Jewish returnees faced strong opposition from neighboring groups like the Samaritans. These groups were hostile and actively worked to discourage and hinder the rebuilding efforts, sometimes even resorting to political maneuvers to halt the construction.

(ii) Resource Scarcity: The returnees struggled with a lack of resources needed for the reconstruction. Limited financial and material resources made it difficult to obtain the necessary building supplies, such as timber and stone, to rebuild the temple.

(iii) Internal Disunity: Among the Jewish returnees, there were divisions and disagreements about how to proceed with the rebuilding process. This internal disunity weakened their collective efforts and slowed down the progress of the construction work.

(iv) Economic Hardship: Many returnees faced severe economic difficulties upon their return. The region had been neglected for years, and there was widespread poverty. The struggle to make a living and provide for their families made it challenging to focus on rebuilding the temple.

(v) Political Instability: The returnees also faced political instability both within the Persian Empire, which ruled over them, and from local governors who were not supportive of their efforts. Changes in political leadership could result in changes in policy that affected the rebuilding process.

(vi) Lack of Skilled Labor: After years of exile, many skilled workers and artisans who had the expertise to construct the temple were either not available or not in the best condition to work. The shortage of skilled laborers slowed down the construction and affected the quality of the work.

(2b)

(PICK ANY THREE)

(i) Corruption: Corruption at various levels of government and public institutions diverts resources meant for development into private pockets. This undermines public trust and reduces the effectiveness of development programs.

(ii) Poor Infrastructure: Inadequate infrastructure such as roads, electricity, and water supply hampers economic growth. Poor infrastructure makes it difficult to attract investment and slows down the pace of development.

(iii) Political Instability: Frequent changes in government, political conflicts, and lack of continuity in policies disrupt development initiatives. Political instability creates an uncertain environment that is not conducive to sustainable development.

(iv) Education System Deficiencies: An underfunded and poorly managed education system fails to equip the population with the necessary skills and knowledge. This results in a workforce that is not adequately prepared to drive development.

(v) Healthcare Challenges: Poor healthcare services lead to a less healthy population, which affects productivity and economic growth. High rates of disease and inadequate healthcare infrastructure pose significant barriers to development.

(vi) Economic Inequality: A wide gap between the rich and the poor can hinder development by limiting access to opportunities for a large portion of the population. Economic inequality can lead to social unrest and reduce the overall economic potential of the country.