That's a distortion, I think. My response to this is that God doesn't cast people into the fires of hell for not believing in him; people are judged according to their behavior and virtue. If you are unworthy, you are not allowed into Heaven. Some people have recognized that they are unworthy to be let into Heaven and they have asked God for forgiveness for their sins. Because Christ volunteered to accept our punishment for us, His Grace grants those people forgiveness and they are admitted into Heaven to spend eternity with God.
On the other hand, those who choose not to ask for forgiveness are not given it and they must stand for judgment upon their own merit.
Even when I was a Christian I was unable to believe such a thing
I truly think, unfortunately, you have been misled.
Since, in your view, anyone who does not accept Christ cannot stand on their own merit, that means all non-Christians go to hell, correct?
I truly think, unfortunately, you have been misled.
I was raised in a Christian home and a Christian church. No one tried to mislead me and their explanations are completely parallel with what you said.
I'll put it another way.
Do you believe that all devout Hindus go to hell?
By your own reasoning they do.
I'm an antitheist on this particular belief; not only do I not believe it, it would be awful if it were true.