Many of you have asked about my progress on finishing the book I am writing on BRI.  It is more daunting to finish than to start and it is more frustrating to write when other temptations take me away.  To say I'm getting close to completing my portion of the project is to think a little optimistically, but it is true that we hope to enter the editing and re-writing stage soon.  It seemed to me that this would be a good time to share this idea of the differences between BRI and SRI as many have asked about it.

The issues that cause someone to want to invest in such a way as to achieve making a statement are the same for both.  A BRI investor is trying to please God by acting as a steward of the assets and make certain that the gains obtained are not coming from a source that would be counter to the teachings of the Bible.  An SRI investor is attempting to be pro-active in investing in ways that avoid harming people and the environment. 

These ideals may sound similar but when you get down to the nitty gritty of implementing each strategy, differences become obvious.  To be fair, about half of all the concerns that SRI investors have are similar to BRI investors.  Issues like companies that produce tobacco, alcohol, and gaming services are often struck down by both.  Some of the differences are:

• BRI avoids companies that contribute to Planned Parenthood, while SRI invests in them
• BRI avoids companies that profit from or promote abortions, while SRI has no such restriction
• BRI invests in companies that are responsible for supporting our military efforts, while SRI often avoids them
• BRI avoids companies that offer same sex benefits, while SRI invests in them
• BRI avoids companies that produce and sell pornography, while SRI might invest in them
• SRI takes active roles in improving corporate governance, while BRI mostly ignores that issue
• BRI emphasizes investment in adult stem cell research, while SRI invests in all forms of stem cell research.
• SRI represents 10% to 13% of ALL investment funds in the market place
• BRI represents barely one (1%) of ALL investment funds in the market place

Now do you see why it is important for Christians to step up and be counted in the marketplace?  Retirement plan custodians and financial advisors can be contacted to find out how investors can invest in such a way as to make their investments reflect their Christian world view.