Hm. While I don't necessarily Bible thump, I have read it and working on the Tanakh now...but some people just get lost in it's meaning and it's about that journey to knowing God. 

You are right about some people of faith saying non-believers are damned which is not at all true. Jesus was constantly doubted by people and his disciples even after SEEING his acts. One instance in particular that proves my point about non-believers not being damned is in two quotes: 
John 4:48 "unless you people see signs and wonder, you will never believe" a bit later, after Jesus' resurrection Thomas says he will not believe it's Jesus until he puts his finger in his wounds he saw happen. Which Jesus meets Thomas later and says for him to place his hands here and here and here" Thomas of course then believes.

Throughout the Bible it is said God knows what is in your heart, and I think he will know how misguided preachers such as this are. The children aren't worshiping Santa you know?