In what way would it be better to have not known the way of righteousness?

If you knew the way to righteousness--then you are responsible and will receive God's approval--but if you, as the Bible says, "...return to the vomit" you will be condemned, unless you repent before you die!

Once we know the way of righteousness, and then reject it, the judgment for what we know is worse than the judgment for what we don't know. The sad thing is, being in hell will be terrible regardless of the amount of works, but the eternal punishment is worse according to the works done.

It like Esau who was the first born but scorned his inheritance and sold out for meal. We are to hold fast to our faith, not sell out, as then there is no more forgiveness for sin, but only a fearful awaiting of judgment.

You are responsible for what you know AND for what you could have found out.

This is part of evolution as our consciousness grows we understand the energy systems of mind,body and soul and how to improve our own evolutional fitness , to not know is to remain a happily animal.

more info type in marc lambert and God