According to correct Islamic beliefs, people who do evil regardless of their faith will be punished not only in this life but in the hereafter.
As far as deciding if Islam is a religion or an ideology goes, it will not make a difference if someone guarantees it is "a way of life" rather.
But the only universally agreed upon fact in Islam is that the one guarantee in life is that each soul will die and proceed to the hereafter. So when you, and this is a guarantee, are on the pangs of death know that there is no return from this and do not regret then that you did believe in Thee Almighty, Allah, but you thought you will never die and meet your creator.