Anyone who's ever heard of game theory knows the basic principle - subjective evaluation of risk/reward and probable actions of other agents (players). Oddly enough, with humans' naturally skewed risk aversion, this (per theory) usually ends in the worst possible case for the agents in the classic scenario.
[If you're not familiar with it, see wikipedia...]
Then comes the Golden Rule - do unto others as you'd have them do unto you. Treat them the way you want to be treated.
What if I can't trust others to do their part in that system?
What if I'm kind to them, but they won't be kind to me?
What if my mercy is not returned?
What if I'm kind to them, but they won't be kind to me?
What if my mercy is not returned?
What if I have no faith in other people? What if I cannot trust that they will also be kind?
Well it's pretty simple - without faith, I choose not to extend kindness to others.
With faith, I am choosing to extend kindness. This is an ongoing paradigm shift for me, and I would imagine most people - not that we are absent of kindness, but that kindness and cooperation is not our default position.
With faith, I bear fruit. (Yep, that's a biblical reference.) Faith without works is dead. To be Christian is to be kind - choosing not to extend kindness is unchristian. If you are not kind, your faith is not active, if present at all.
(Though I would admit a practical qualification that kindness is not always exactly what the receiver wants, rather what would be in their best interest.)
Continuing to ponder...
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