Answer
The entire creation is founded upon the Lord's absolute respect for the free will of every living entity.
Krishna never forces anyone against their will. If a living entity desires something independent of Him, the Lord allows that desire to be pursued and facilitates the experience. At the same time, the living entity must also experience the consequences of those choices.
Through repeated experiences, one eventually realizes that no desire independent of Krishna can bring lasting satisfaction. When that realization awakens, one voluntarily turns toward Him.
However, if one does not wish to return to Krishna, the Lord does not interfere. The soul may continue pursuing one material desire after another—becoming a worm, a demigod, Lord Brahmā, Indra, or taking countless other positions according to its desires and karma.
Ultimately, there are only Krishna and His various energies. The material energy and the living entities are both His energies. Krishna reciprocates with each soul according to the relationship that soul desires with Him.
Even an atheist who wishes to live as though God does not exist is allowed to do so. The Lord gives that person the corresponding consciousness.
To understand this, one must appreciate how sacred the Lord considers the free will of every living entity. He respects every soul at the deepest level, and that is why He allows each one to make independent choices.
A devotee also gradually learns this principle. Pure devotion develops only when one learns to respect the free will of every living entity.
For example, one may not approve of a thief's actions, but one still respects that the Lord has granted him free will. The thief must face the consequences according to the laws of nature and society, but his freedom to choose is still respected.
