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FYI: For religious investors, the question of what a fund does with shareholder money is a matter of necessity, not choice. Muslim investors, for example, are forbidden from charging interest. Mennonites won’t invest in companies that support the military industrial complex. Regards, Ted http://americasmarkets.usatoday.com/2014/08/18/top-funds-with-divine-guidance/
The filters used by "socially responsible" funds are as weird and arbitrary as the general Market. Yes, something is better than nothing. But none of them is truly radical enough to claim to be "socially responsible," particularly on "religious" grounds. Strain-out the elephant and let the hippo through. ...
"Gilead Eventide doesn’t spell out its investing strictures, but it says that business is a gift from God, and investing is reaping the fruits of God’s gifts..." That's just effing perfect. Now I've heard it all. Black is white. Small is big. White is black. Dry is wet. And God wants you to thrive and be wealthy. Can you say, "abomination?" I knew you could.
Ya, hello, Ted. No, please--- don't think that I was criticizing you for what's in the article. Feel free. But of course, you don't need my permission. That particular fund is the perfect illustration of the twisted, false "Prosperity Gospel." Just take the heart and soul of what religion ought to be about, and turn it inside-out. Voila! there you have it: Gilead Eventide.
Religion, like politics, isn't at all about "God". It's about some people attempting to control the beliefs and/or conduct of other people, by whatever means is expedient.
Thanks, Ted..... OJ: I've heard that before from those who are already bound and determined to reject religion of any sort. Legitimate religion doesn't force anything on anyone. But it has quite a bit to do with ethical behavior. I guess we don't need that, either. Just forget it. Screw everything and do what you like. Just because you CAN.
(And, needless to say, one doesn't have to be religious in order to be ethical. But you'll never get rid of religion, either. Just a sociological fact.) And Gilead Eventide is still an abomination. There we are, back on the mutual fund topic.
@Crash: Well, historically you can make a very good case for religion(s) promoting what we would generally call ethical behavior in the general population, at least. I could even be persuaded that without the overall influence of religion, civilization would be in a lot worse shape than it is now, although that may hardly seem possible. But I still submit that religion is about some people attempting to control the beliefs and/or conduct of other people, by whatever means is expedient. That, of course, may not necessarily always be a bad thing.
Mixing religion and politics, or religion and financial affairs, is fraught with danger to all parties concerned. Gilead Eventide is an abomination, to keep this train on the correct track.
@Crash: Well, historically you can make a very good case for religion(s) promoting what we would generally call ethical behavior in the general population, at least. I could even be persuaded that without the overall influence of religion, civilization would be in a lot worse shape than it is now, although that may hardly seem possible. But I still submit that religion is about some people attempting to control the beliefs and/or conduct of other people, by whatever means is expedient. That, of course, may not necessarily always be a bad thing.
Mixing religion and politics, or religion and financial affairs, is fraught with danger to all parties concerned. Gilead Eventide is an abomination, to keep this train on the correct track.
This comment is so nuts as to almost not be worth replying to but nevertheless, as a Christian, I felt the need. Clearly you do not understand the meaning of religion if you think it needs to be separated from other aspects of your life. If you want to know who's trying to control other people's lives, look no further than your secularist communist or socialist government. That's all they do is try to control other people's lives and thoughts.
Don't discredit those of us that have faith and want to live our lives according to that faith. That's what religion calls for. You have no right to discredit those people that are answering their natural call to God. I think funds like Eventide Gilead are wonderful alternatives for those of us that don't want our money promoting values contrary to our Christian beliefs.
Eventide Gilead looks okay and its description is not all that different from PRBLX if you take out the God stuff: ... God’s great intent for business is that it serve and, in turn, bless humankind . . . and that companies that prosper best, and sustainably, are the ones who do this especially well. Accordingly, Eventide seeks to invest in companies that operate with integrity and excel at creating value. In so doing we enlarge the capacity of these businesses to create still more value, including for our shareholders. Just as importantly, Eventide tries to avoid investing in companies that engage in predatory behavior or seek profit at all costs — practices which harm customers, society, and eventually shareholders.
They're Boston-based, looks like, so I will have to inquire of my rich finance friends if they know the people involved.
No,.... um.... Just, no. I thought I might do something to keep this thread going, but... JimJ has a valid point: real Christianity is not a creed that can be lived authentically if one segregates money matters to a place beyond its purview. The "Prosperity Gospel" stance which Eventide stands for is nevertheless twisted and inside-out, based on the thumbnail description, above: "business is a gift from God, and investing is reaping the fruits of God’s gifts..." That just doesn't jive with "take up your cross and follow me." There's a difference between self-sacrifice and profit.
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Regards,
Ted
Mixing religion and politics, or religion and financial affairs, is fraught with danger to all parties concerned. Gilead Eventide is an abomination, to keep this train on the correct track.
This comment is so nuts as to almost not be worth replying to but nevertheless, as a Christian, I felt the need. Clearly you do not understand the meaning of religion if you think it needs to be separated from other aspects of your life. If you want to know who's trying to control other people's lives, look no further than your secularist communist or socialist government. That's all they do is try to control other people's lives and thoughts.
Don't discredit those of us that have faith and want to live our lives according to that faith. That's what religion calls for. You have no right to discredit those people that are answering their natural call to God. I think funds like Eventide Gilead are wonderful alternatives for those of us that don't want our money promoting values contrary to our Christian beliefs.
Jim
Eventide Gilead looks okay and its description is not all that different from PRBLX if you take out the God stuff:
... God’s great intent for business is that it serve and, in turn, bless humankind . . . and that companies that prosper best, and sustainably, are the ones who do this especially well.
Accordingly, Eventide seeks to invest in companies that operate with integrity and excel at creating value. In so doing we enlarge the capacity of these businesses to create still more value, including for our shareholders. Just as importantly, Eventide tries to avoid investing in companies that engage in predatory behavior or seek profit at all costs — practices which harm customers, society, and eventually shareholders.
They're Boston-based, looks like, so I will have to inquire of my rich finance friends if they know the people involved.
OOPS, there he goes again.