Faith Curriculum Library: Tapestry of Faith: What We Choose: An Adult Program on Ethics for Unitarian Universalists

Activity 1: Opening Scenario

Part of What We Choose

Activity time: 10 minutes

Description of Activity

Share this scenario:

You are on the Investment Committee of your congregation. The committee is faced with the choice of investing in a socially responsible stock fund with a modest rate of return or a standard commercial fund that will clearly yield a higher return. The socially responsible stock fund does not invest in companies that do business with countries who violate United Nations human rights agreements, while the standard fund does not have such a restriction.

Ask:

Would you vote in favor of investing in the fund with a higher return, stewarding the congregation's financial health, including its social justice outreach programs, or would you vote in favor of investing in the socially responsible fund, thereby supporting the social justice values of the congregation? On what ethical or moral grounds would you base your vote?

Lead a discussion.