A matter of perspective, obviously.
"Theist" is a pretty broadly defined term, but I'd think that most of them would believe that it is better to be a bad believer than a non-believer. Working within a Christian Paradigm, the Atheist would be damned because their lack of faith prevents them for asking for forgiveness to begin with. The bad believer could be a serial child rapist and murderer who cannibalized the corpses, yet still be forgiven if they ask sincerely.
Me being a godless heathen, obviously thinks that Atheism is better. From my perspective, it is silly to believe in a philosophy that teaches that humans are inherently flawed and need to slavishly devote themselves to an external entity in order to overcome this flaw (E.G. The Abrahamic Religions).
Ultimately, I'm a live and let live kind of guy. If you don't bother me with your shyt, then I won't be compelled to bother you with mine.