The Bible is our source that determines what is right and wrong. Christian Values are absolute and therefore what is moral and immoral transcends personal or societal opinion.
Christian Values Investing one end and aim is to glorify Jesus Christ. The purpose of our model portfolios is to promote faithful stewardship in Jesus Christ and the Word of God. We believe that this includes defending such issues and values such as pro-life, free enterprise, sexual abstinence outside of marriage, Biblical (“literal”) creation, decentralized government, homosexuality as sin, the Bible as inerrant and the Word of God, salvation by grace through faith in Christ alone, and the eternal damnation of sinners. Therefore our investment advisory will demonstrate the Lordship of Jesus Christ over every investment purchased in our model portfolios.
Below are just some of the issues of concern to Christian Values Investing and the specific sinful activities that fall into each category:
- We desire justice and mercy for the defenseless so we screen out companies involved in:
- Abortion -50 million abortions occur worldwide each year. (Guttmacher, 2000) Nearly 75% of born-again Christians believe abortion should be illegal, with a few exceptions. (Barna Research, 2001) Nearly 65% of Catholics believe abortion should be illegal, with a few exceptions. (Barna Research, 2001)
- Life destroying or distorting scientific research
- Human rights issues such as religious persecution, terrorism and political oppression
- We desire justice and mercy for the poor so we screen out companies involved in:
- Greed-based marketing techniques
- Discrimination and unjust labor practices
- Any abuses of the poor, children and/or the elderly
- We have compassion for those addicted and/or engaged in sinful lifestyles so we screen out companies involved in:
- Alcohol- Underage drinking and adult excessive drinking (the amount adults drink in excess of two drinks a day) accounts for 50% of the alcohol consumed in the U.S. and 49% of consumer expenditures for alcohol. (Journal of the American Medical Association, 2003)
- Gambling- In the past 10 years the number of teenagers ages 12 to 17 reporting serious gambling problems has increased by 50%, from 10-15%. The age of onset for gambling has dropped so that now, throughout America, the majority of 12-year-olds have already gambled. (Durand Jacobs, 2001)
- Tobacco – Tobacco was the number one killer addiction in 2000, responsible for 4.9 million deaths or 71% of the total drug-related deaths (a jump of more than one million since 1990). (Addiction Research Institute, 2003)
- Pornography – Victims include sexually abused children, violated women, broken marriages, ruined neighborhoods, AIDS victims, and ultimately, the very soul and humanity of our nation. (Morality in Media, 2001)
- Homosexuality- Between 1994 and 1998, non-married partners increased by 10%, while married couples only increased by 2%. (U.S. Bureau of the Census, 1998) 66% of born-again Christians believe homosexuality to be an unbiblical lifestyle. 46% of all adults believe homosexuality to be a non acceptable lifestyle. (Barna Research, 2001)
- We want to protect marriage and the family so we screen out companies involved in:
- Entertainment that seeks to destroy biblically-based attitudes – In terms of sexual content, coarse language, and violent material combined, the per-hour figure almost tripled from ’89 to ’99. (Parents Television Council, 2000)
- Efforts to promote lifestyles the Bible indicates are sinful
Additionally, we favor companies that:
- Seek to glorify God through direct and indirect activities
- Conduct business in a manner that reflects positively on the principles of Christianity
- Conduct business in a manner that shows respect for others
- Conduct business with integrity and honesty
- Provide positive benefits for its employees, suppliers, customers, and community
- Contribute to and support programs that provide education and training
- Support charitable giving
Armed with this information, we are then prepared to make as strong an effort as possible to build investment portfolios that reflect our client’s biblically-based Christian worldview.