An agnostic, who for some reason doubts God’s existence, may become either a believer or an atheist, since atheism, when it is clear and strong, is an expression of the soul’s focus on this issue.
But in any case, though it may not be completely positive, the transition from agnosticism to atheism shifts the issue from a place of apathy to a place of emotional involvement.
Indeed, even the shift from the stage of “What do I care?” to “That angers me” should, in fact, be seen as progress.
When we begin to show interest in God and think about Him from time to time, even if it is in an extremely abstract way, we embark on a path that may lead to connecting with God.
–Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz