Is there anyone here who thinks Pascal's Wager is actually a legitimate argument?

Unfortunately, there are quite a few.

Many of them even think they came up with the idea themselves.

It is a wonderful argument by a brilliant scientist and convert. To you it is only an argument but he never intended that.

The fact is YOU WILL DIE and that is the whole basis for the wager. SUPER EXCELLENT

'The most powerful part of Pascal's argument comes next. It is not his refutation of atheism as a foolish wager (that comes last) but his refutation of agnosticism as impossible. Agnosticism, not-knowing, maintaining a sceptical, uncommitted attitude, seems to be the most reasonable option. The agnostic says, "The right thing is not to wager at all." Pascal replies, "But you must wager. There is no choice. You are already committed [embarked]." We are not outside observers of life, but participants. We are like ships that need to get home, sailing past a port that has signs on it proclaiming that it is our true home and our true happiness. The ships are our own lives and the signs on the port say "God". The agnostic says he will neither put in at that port (believe) nor turn away from it (disbelieve) but stay anchored a reasonable distance away until the weather clears and he can see better whether this is the true port or a fake (for there are a lot of fakes around). Why is this attitude unreasonable, even impossible? Because we are moving. The ship of life is moving along the waters of time, and there comes a point of no return, when our fuel runs out, when it is too late. The Wager works because of the fact of death. "

It is a legitimate argument. That's about all I can say really. The only thing wrong with it is that it focuses on possible outcomes but never the likelihood of those outcomes.

It also sets up a sort of "epistemic guesswork theory" of reality as opposed to any sort of complete analysis.

It's a lazy coin toss at best, but honestly whether you choose to believe in a god or not is irrelevant. It's the culture/traditions attached to whatever camp you follow and what values you pick up that matter as a human being.

My motto is: No matter what you believe you're still an ignorant c*not and an imperfect being. Atheist, Theist, Agnostic, it doesn't matter. People are people.

it is very legit.

In a recent discussion, it was brought up that a reasonable person has no choice but to accept Pascal's wager.

It means due to reason, a God given gift, you will accept there is God as oppose to none; meaning as person of reason, you cannot gamble with your salvation in a grave matter like this. Therefore, it is mandatory you have to accept there is God.

If it were an argument, it would be called an argument and not a wager, right?

The problem with this, is that to win you have to back all the runners, so be a bushiest a jew a muslim . ect ect ect Because you have to get in the right religion.

they can't all be true. but they can all be lies

It's a legitimate argument for the gullible.

If you are trying to convince simple, uneducated folk, they'd see the folly in disbelief, and start believing.

You won't win the lottery unless you buy a ticket either .. but that doesn't mean that everyone should buy a ticket.

I've heard too many use it and have seen too many here warn us with it. So yes, there are MANY who are that lacking in cognitive thinking skills.

Yes, those of us with a brain and a modicum of education certainly do.