Q&A: Can atheists be saved? — Romans 1 and the hardening process of rejecting God

Mike distinguishes between Vatican II's nuanced atheist categories and Barron's simpler-sounding 'sincere atheist is probably fine.' He then explains Romans 1: God reveals himself through creation and conscience to every person. When a person rejects that truth, God gives them over to a depraved mind — they become hardened and may sincerely believe false things (e.g., that God is wicked or doesn't exist). Their sincere false belief is itself God's judgment on their rejection of truth. This is why 'sincere but wrong' is not a path to salvation.