re: Then why...
Does God permanently punish people who don't get their acts together
I don't know what God does with those who don't comply with his wishes. Maybe Larry Niven had it right. Maybe there is a Hell, and you can get out when you are ready too. Maybe atheist get their wish and just cease to exist. If Hell does exist, I think you can get out if you realize why you are there and ask for God to get you out. I don’t know. I am not God and will not pass his judgment on those who don’t comply. That is between them in God.
It’s God’s universe and his rules. He owns the matter that makes us up, but not our soul. That we have to give to him freely. And that is all he asks of us. I think that is the whole point behind freewill.