Any Biblically Responsible investors out there?

[Sunset]

....https://www.wsj.com/articles/financial-advisers-put-faith-in-religion-based-investing-1490363559

If paywalled, maybe can get there by searching the headline: "Financial Advisers Put Faith in Religion-Based Investing" or first sentence: "Want to organize your financial life in a way that is consistent with your faith?"

But wouldn't that be like stealing from them ?

 

[Sunset]

You could invest in Google, after all isn't their motto: "Do no Harm".

How about Medical Schools as aren't doctors supposed to heal the sick, and even if it's only the sick rich, at least they are healing some people.

Corner the market or at least invest in companies that produce: frankincense, myrrh and gold (also you could just buy gold).

Invest in index funds, so you don't line the pockets of greedy advisors with fees.

 

[donheff]

There are a lot of variations among people "of the book." On one hand you could be interested in investing to further the interests of the Jesuits' Liberation Theology, or maybe you are more interested in a fundamentalist anti-gay, pro-creationist style, or even have a pro-jihadist tilt (they like the bible but add on another book). Hard to be sure one of these organized investment groups actually reflects your beliefs. Go for index funds and put the proceeds where your heart is.

 

[Totoro]

You could invest in Google, after all isn't their motto: "Do no Harm".

It was "Don't be evil", now it actually is "Do the right thing". Gives a lot more leeway. I'm pretty sure many if not most evil men in history actually thought they were doing the right thing.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Don't_be_evil

 

[brewer12345]

No room for women in there?!

.

 

[brett]

We follow the investment practices of several of the world's and North America's largest bible centric faith groups.

Investment return has taken a back seat to their overriding faith principals and beliefs.

 

[racy]

"Religion is here so the poor don't murder the rich". Napoleon Bonaparte

 

[Just_Steve]

Money is the root of all evil.

 

[redduck]

Money is the root of all evil.

Nah, it's the love of money...
1 Timothy 6:10 KJV - For the love of money is the root of - Bible Gateway

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. King James Version (KJV) 1 Timothy 6:10 in all English translations.

 

[Just_Steve]

Nah, it's the love of money...
1 Timothy 6:10 KJV - For the love of money is the root of - Bible Gateway

For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. King James Version (KJV) 1 Timothy 6:10 in all English translations.

Then I would LOVE to have some more.

 

[stephenson]

I'm thinking the OP was just kidding.

Weird stuff.

 

[Starsky]

We follow the investment practices of several of the world's and North America's largest bible centric faith groups.

Investment return has taken a back seat to their overriding faith principals and beliefs.

So what stocks or investments do they invest in?

 

[ERD50]

I'm thinking the OP was just kidding.

Weird stuff.

I assumed the OP was serious.

I might also consider " ... that I want to be biblically responsible with what God has given me. ", but I'll spend and invest the money that wasn't given to me by God without those encumbrances.

-ERD50

 

[Whisper66]

TBar (the OP)- you got quite a few responses. Looks like about 50% were quite serious responses to your query. That's pretty good for a biblically based query in today's world.

Would be interested in your feedback. Are those responses helpful? Any ideas of how you will invest and why you plan for that path?

 

[Viking]

Anyone have advice on where I can invest a few pieces of silver?

 

[Chuckanut]

I would find it hard to invest on a Biblical or any 'social responsibility' method other than if I was a stock picker, I would avoid buying stocks of companies whose policies and products I strongly objected to. There are many variations of what people find socially and religiously responsible.

Me? I would buy index funds, accept the fact that they will own small amounts of companies I may not approve of, and contribute part of the profits to organizations and people who I felt did good and had a legitimate need.

 

[Backdraft57]

I think that would be the Eye of the Needle Fund.

ROFL

Sent from my SM-G935V using Early Retirement Forum mobile app

 

[14thMed]

Can't help. People being what they are, I go for the money and invest in tobacco, booze and gambling.

Amen

 

[Starsky]

Assuming the sentiment is sincere in the OP, it begs a larger question in my mind.

Is the unbridled drive for profit over all other considerations ethical?

I love this question. To me it is criminal that it is not asked in any business class I've ever taken. (and I just threw away a bookcase full of MBA textbooks)

I guess I wasn't a very good capitalist.

(Especially applied to health insurance companies? How much profit is ethical in health care?)

 

[razztazz]

II guess I wasn't a very good capitalist

You were probably a good SMithian capitalist. he required that you actually do something people need in order to make a justified profit. As an intellectual and government official he was well aware of criminal behavior of the rank sort and also those in business or skirt the rules but are clearly not doing the "right thing".

He also said his proposed system would not work without an underlying common moral foundation to keep it in check. Schools should teach morals so that the economy would work better. But his "day job" was Professor of Moral Philosophy" so maybe it was a case of a the owner of a hammer seeing ever problem as a nail....?

The only true capitalists are The Mafia

 

[Starsky]

You were probably a good SMithian capitalist. he required that you actually do something people need in order to make a justified profit. As an intellectual and government official he was well aware of criminal behavior of the rank sort and also those in business or skirt the rules but are clearly not doing the "right thing".

He also said his proposed system would not work without an underlying common moral foundation to keep it in check. Schools should teach morals so that the economy would work better. But his "day job" was Professor of Moral Philosophy" so maybe it was a case of a the owner of a hammer seeing ever problem as a nail....?

The only true capitalists are The Mafia

I must be a little socialist - owning the means of production and all...

Thanks. Now I get to re-fantasize about how robotics is simply a race by the rich to truly own the means of production. Then they really won't need us.

 

[Hermit]

Now that I am nearing 70 1/2, I can take all that money I invested in tax deferred index funds and give it to my favorite, morally ethical, Christian based kid's camp charity.

So... Is cutting the Government out of the cash they let me keep to invest until I got to be this age morally ethical??

 

[GravitySucks]

Wine plays a big part in my religion. Maybe investing in a vineyard would be a way to go.

 

[stephenson]

Perhaps the OP was looking for a more supportive environ?

Is this their only post?

If it was the opening of a thread to proselytize, they gave missed some opportunities.

In general, then, based on a majority of responses, "WWJD?" isn't a consideration for investing...likely for many and different reasons?

 

[Chuckanut]

Schools should teach morals so that the economy would work better.

?!?!?!?!

I must disagree. Parents should teach morals. If you leave it to the schools there will be huge arguments over just whose morals should be taught.