[pablomalo]

Pascal's wager, as it relates to faith, is based on the premise that there is a lot to win in making the wager --but little to lose. In turn, that second part is grounded in the assumption (right or wrong, I won't judge) that living according to Christian principles brings benefits _in this life also_ to the individual who so chooses.

So it seems a mischaracterization to present the essence of the wager as going out of your way to perform random and costly rites in the hope of lifting any ill omen.

[aeternum]

I disagree. If doing thing x brings benefits, then you have reason to do thing x regardless of the wager. Utilitarianism is sufficient.

The wager is only interesting on those rites where the expected-value is uncertain or unknowable.

[joquarky]

Exactly. For example, what if making such wagers is key in determining that you belong in "hell" for not being genuine?

[johsole]

> living according to Christian principles brings benefits _in this life also_

It does, in this life and the next.