Serving gods unbeknownst

[Halaster Blackcloak]

I caught a little tidbit I've forgotten over the years, in the 1E DMG.

"Whether or not the character actively professes some deity, he or she will have an alignment and serve one or more of the deities of this general alignment indirectly and unbeknownst to the character."

~ 1E DMG, pg. 25

I thought that was an curious phrase that brings up all sorts of interesting questions.

Does that mean the DM should incorporate the idea of the gods granting favors and/or cursing them for transgressions even if they don't know they're "serving" any god?

Do the gods manipulate those characters to achieve their goals, and if so, how so?

Does alignment change therefore have any direct detrimental effect or "punishment" from the gods as detailed in Deities & Demigods?

[garhkal]

Well, changing ones alignment does cause one to lose levels.. So maybe that's part of the 'disfavor' of the god(s)?