Beer, wine not on church's list of immoral investments

BERLIN (RNS) New guidelines issued by Germany's largest Protestant body
advised parishioners to not invest in companies that make hard liquor,
while beer and wine producers are fine.


The guidelines, issued by the Evangelical (Lutheran) Church in
Germany, are meant to help investors invest their money wisely but
morally in the wake of the financial crisis that has roiled world
markets since 2007.


Many of the proposals, which were compiled by a special church
commission, seem in keeping with Christian mores: no investing in
companies that manufacture guns or pornography; avoid investing in
countries that are considered dictatorships or that present a risk to
the environment.


The guidelines say investing in the alcohol industry is appropriate,
so long as the beverages contain no more than 15 percent alcohol by
volume. That cutoff leaves the hard liquor industry in the cold, but
allows investors to consider wine and beer, both of which have strong
cultural ties and employ thousands in Germany.


Defending the decision, the church said "the noted borderline marks
approximately the point at which alcoholic drinks go from beer and wine
to spirits."


"Overindulgence or prolonged consumption of spirits has a higher
danger of addiction," it continued.


Church officials urged readers to consider the entire document when
making financial plans.


"This is about making it clear that money is not an end in and of
itself, but -- like everything we do -- something that bears with it a
responsibility before God and humanity," said Thomas Begrich, head of
the church's financial department, in a statement.