Do I believe Atheists are going to hell?

[SteveII]

I have a question for Steve and Neo...

Would you guys say it's likely the case that Ghandi, for example, is in Hell because he was not Christian?

What about people who believe in the same God as us but are not Christian... like Muslims and Jews? And non protestant Christians like Mormons, Catholics, etc?

I'm curious if those people are the same, in your mind, as atheists in terms of the going to Hell belief.

Ghandi suffered from the same malady the rest of humanity does. Any sin creates a gulf between us and God. That gulf must be bridged only with the redemption that Christ offers. It is a binary choice--with no gray area: either someone has accepted this free gift or one has not. If Ghandi did not, then he will not be in heaven. 

IMO, God judges people hearts according to the information they have and what they did with it. The Bible says that information about God is written on everyone's heart. I'm pretty sure this is the same basis that supports the Catholic doctrine of Invincible Ignorance.

"The truth about God is known to them instinctively. God has put this knowledge in their hearts. From the time the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky and all that God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse whatsoever for not knowing God" (Romans 1:19-20, New Living Translation)

Now if they have heard the Gospel and still follow Islam or Joe Smith, then that is a clear indication of their rejection of Christ.

I think sincere Catholics recognize the basics needed for salvation (it's all there).