So you are saying that atheists do not believe at all?
I would have to disagree with that because I see that God gives revelation to those that fall outside of the sphere of His direct revelation. Gentiles, for example, during the Age of Law. Gentiles who received revelation from God, the Law (His will) written on their hearts, and a judgment dependant on how they responded to that revelation.
Romans 2:10-16 King James Version
10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:
11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law;
13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:
15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another)
16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
If the doers of the Law perform the works of the Law written on their hearts, does this not say they will be justified?
They aren't believers. They do not have faith. They do not have
The Faith.
Neither did Abraham, his belief centered on salvation through what he thought would be his seed, hence he was willing to produce an heir through Hagar.
Abraham was justified in a temporal context and died not receiving the Promise. His eternal destiny was secured through his belief and faith.
Belief that God would give him an heir, and faith to slay that son because his son had to be alive for the Promise to be realized.
Now, back to atheists: as I said I believe all men receive revelation from God. I think it likely in this Age that all receive the convicting ministry of the Comforter and that His ministry is specific to enlightening the natural mind to the Gospel, but I am not dogmatic, and allow that it is very possible there are men who grow up and live their lives without ever hearing a valid Gospel presentation. What some people post in forums seems to justify that allowance.
However, we can say for certain and be dogmatic that there are those who die and never get the chance to hear the Gospel and believe: murdered infants in the womb, for example. Young children. Those who are mentally impaired.
Do we say "Well if they are elect they will be saved and if they aren't, well, they will go to Hell?"
I don't think so: not a single Old Testament Saint had the Mystery of the Gospel unveiled to them yet their eternal destinies are certain.
The Faith had not yet come, but they had faith because they believed God and responded to the revelation they received.
They believed despite not having
The Faith.
At the risk of making this post longer than most will care to read, one more passage:
2 Peter 2:20-22
King James Version
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning.
21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
22 But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
(See the LINK)
These men knew. We cannot nullify an aspect of belief, because there is an association implied that this knowledge wasn't something they acquired on a street corner one day.
Romans 1:28-32 King James Version
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
They had knowledge of God but rebelled against it, thus God gave them over to a reprobate mind.
They knew the judgment of God—but rejected it.
So can atheists believe and not have faith, or The Faith—of course they can.
Devils believe, and tremble.
Or do you think devils have faith?
God bless.