Pro-life? You’re Probably Profiting from Abortion
Last week we were all shocked by the leak of the Supreme Court draft opinion in the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization case before the court. We lament that a person or persons took it upon themselves to circumvent judicial process by leaking this opinion. This should upset all Americans who believe in protecting the integrity of our institutions.
That said, we do rejoice that the Court appears ready to overrule bad decisions made previously by the Court by overruling Roe v. Wade and Planned Parenthood of Southeastern Pa v. Casey. Justice Alito, who authored the draft opinion, states:
We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled. The Constitution makes no reference to abortion, and no such right is implicitly protected by any constitutional provision, including the one on which the defenders of Roe and Casey now chiefly rely — the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment…
It is time to heed the constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives. “The permissibility of abortion, and the limitations, upon it, are to be resolved like most important questions in our democracy: by citizens trying to persuade one another and then voting.” (Casey, 505 U.S., at 979 (Scalia, J. concurring in judgement in part and dissenting in part). That is what the Constitution and the rule of law demand…
Abortion presents a profound moral question. The Constitution does not prohibit the citizens of each State from regulating or prohibiting abortion. Roe and Casey arrogated that authority. We now overrule those decisions and return that authority to the people and their elected representatives.
Since 1973, when Roe v. Wade was decided, over 63 million babies have been killed through abortion in the United States. We pray that this draft will become the official ruling of the Court. This would return the decision of the legality of abortion back to the States and serve as a reminder that the Court’s duty is to interpret and uphold the law and not to act as a legislative body. It would not end abortion in our country, but it would protect precious unborn babies in many states and advance the pro-life movement until all life is protected in our country.
The Bible teaches the sanctity of life from the Creation (Genesis 1:26-27) and that God lovingly and uniquely creates each person from conception (Psalm 139:13-14). God abhors abortion which is the destruction of a life wonderfully created by God in His image.
The cultural battle over abortion continues and many public companies have clearly indicated their support for abortion or are directly involved in the abortion industry. Some ways publicly traded companies are involved in the abortion industry include:
- Manufacturing and distributing abortifacient drugs
- Facilities such as hospitals that perform elective abortions
- Embryonic stem cell research
- Insurance companies that preferentially benefit elective abortions over live births
- Using corporate funds to lobby for abortion legislation or promotion
- Direct donation of corporate funds to Planned Parenthood and other abortion organizations
Recently, companies such as Citigroup, Levi Strauss, Apple, Amazon, and others have pledged to use company funds to help employees get abortions. If you are a customer of these companies, pray for discernment and follow your conscience as to whether you should give your money to these companies. If you are a shareholder in these companies, exercise your right as an owner and let them know you disagree with their decision on moral and on shareholder grounds.
Anti-abortion Investing
We know that many Christians share our view of the evils of abortion, but did you know that many Christians are unknowingly supporting businesses such as these with their investments and, worse, actually profiting from the abortion industry. Even if your financial advisor is a Christian, there is a strong likelihood that you profit from abortion unless your advisor specifically screens our companies involved in abortion.
How can this be? Most investors do not know what they are invested in! Investors primarily invest in mutual funds and ETFs which are baskets of many different companies. Few investors know which companies are actually held within the funds they own.
For example, investing in index funds, such as an S&P 500 index fund or a total market index fund, is very popular. Many Christian investors own these types of funds and yet these funds fail faith-based screening for a number of issues, including abortion. 48.6% of the market weight of a typical S&P 500 index fund and 42% of the market weight of a total market index fund are invested in companies involved in the activities listed above*. If you are invested in this type of fund you are profiting from companies involved in and supporting the abortion industry.
As a steward of the resources God has given you, you are responsible for investing those resources in a way that aligns with God’s heart for life. It is not simply enough to make money and then donate it to pro-life causes, God detests offerings that are made in immoral ways (Deuteronomy 23:18).
If you don’t know what you are profiting from, then take the next step to find out. Beacon Wealth Consultants offers free portfolio screening. We will let you know if you are currently profiting from abortion and other unbiblical activities. If you discover that you are profiting from abortion, we can help you invest in a way that upholds your values.
Pro-life Investing
As Christian investors, we have the responsibility to avoid profiting from things that undermine our faith values. We also have the great privilege of investing in pro-life companies. There are many companies whose products and services and whose manner of conducting business are things that Christians can wholeheartedly embrace. Investing in companies working in areas such as clean water technology, precision oncology, neurology, and home ownership have a decidedly positive impact. Beacon Wealth Consultants seeks to invest in companies having a Kingdom impact in the world, thereby working towards positive returns and positive impact for our clients.
As a company we also use a portion of our company profits and all of the profits from Cassie’s book to support local pregnancy centers.
Let us pray that the Court overrules Roe and Casey. Pray for the protection and conviction of the Justices who support this opinion. While the opinion of the Court is out of our hands, you do have control over how you will invest the Lord’s money. You can avoid profiting from abortion and Beacon Wealth Consultants can help you.
Take advantage of our free portfolio screening or contact us today to take your first step towards better stewardship!
Do you know what Business Practices You Are Supporting through your Current Investments?
*Source: eValueator screening reports for the Vanguard 500 Index Fund holdings as of 1/25/2023 and report generated 1/26/2023; and the Vanguard Total Stock Market Index Fund holdings as of 1/12/2023 and report generated 1/26/2023.