I suppose that, for an atheist, perhaps the nearest approach to the recognition of a deity could be the acknowledgement of 'intangibles' - such as love, joy, wonder etc. - as life enhancing principles experienced by sentient beings. Such a description doesn't require further evidence, belief is not required, a name is optional, and history is irrelevant (all of which happens to eliminate potential conflict).

"Time is what prevents everything from happening at once" - John Wheeler