Why are Christians so afraid to speak the truth about Heaven and Hell?

I read an article by a man who has been a Christian his whole life and who has taught Sunday School for at least 3 decades.  In an interview he was asked if he thought Ghandi was in Heaven.  His answer?  "Scripture tells me I shouldn't judge so I don't know.". 

Really?  Is that what he really believes or was he just to afraid to answer truthfully?  Either way I find the answer troubling.  Here is why.

Scripture tells us that "the truth will set you free".  I believe that withholding the truth will keep people prisoners as well.  So let's analyze this situation.

Let's deal with "judging" first.  Does it really require a "judgement" to answer this question truthfully? 

Scripture tells us unambiguously that no one comes to the Father except through belief in His Son, Jesus.  Scripture makes very clear that salvation, getting into Heaven, is based solely on faith "so that none may boast".  Our works don't get us in.  Being good doesn't get us in.  Only faith in Jesus. 

So do we believe that or not?

Ghandi was a practicing Hindu his whole life.  Yes he was a good man who did some extraordinary things, but he rejected Jesus as his savior in favor of continuing to be a Hindu which was his free will choice to make.  Based on the facts, it doesn't require any "judgement" at all to answer the question.  Ghandi is not in Heaven.

Why are so many Christians so unwilling to say it?  I think it again goes back to the difference in ministry style between Jesus and Christianity today.  Christians today are too worried about offending people and turning them off to Jesus.  Christians today don't want to seem closed minded.  Christians today don't want to exclude anybody because after all doesn't Scripture say that God wants all saved and none to perish.  Yes He did but He but He didn't lower the standards to keep from offending and make it easier for all to get in.   

So what's the big deal?  The man in the article was just being polite some might say.  The big deal in my opinion is that a teachable moment is missed.  There are many people out there who do think that simply being a good person will get them into Heaven.  By not answering the question honestly, the belief in the "good person" exception will continue to grow.  Those people will not be set free because Christians are not being honest with them. 

I find that sad!