Do I believe Atheists are going to hell?

[Neo-Scholastic]

Once the need is recognized, sure, that would be a step in the right direction. A person still needs to look outside themselves for both salvation and forgiveness. As the Schoolmen said, "you cannot give what you do not have." That is why atheists cannot go to Heaven.  They have arrogated unto themselves a power they do not have - the ability to absolve sin.

But doesn't Jesus forgive so long as there is real remorse? As another example, the man dying on the cross next to Jesus. He didn't ask Jesus for forgiveness. He didn't even say he believed Jesus was God... He simply said Jesus was an innocent man who didn't deserve the death sentence. And he expressed that he himself had done many things wrong and did deserve death. The man expressed remorse for his wrong doings, and Jesus said to him immediately "You will be in paradise."

Sorry if I'm being annoying here. I'm not trying to argue. I just feel like in asking you these questions I also learn.

That's the one of the best biblical example of perfect contrition. At the same time, there are, as you noted a couple ambiguities about the story. The biblical record does not specifically say that the thief acknowledged Jesus as Lord and yet he did know that Jesus was the Christ because the unrepentant thief said so.

I think you're looking at this from an entirely theoretical perspective. For me, the practical application is more important. When people think there is a loophole, then they feel entitled to exploit it. You really don't know if their is some atheist lurker reading our discussion who might be thinking to himself that there isn't any urgency about considering Christ's forgiveness. He may think he's in the clear simply because he feels guilty and made restoration to those he has wronged.