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{{Cquote|Celebrity atheists such as Richard Dawkins appear to claim the moral high ground when it comes to violence. Dawkins, along with [[Sam Harris]] and the late [[Christopher Hitchens]], insist that because religion is intrinsically violent, then atheism is inherently more pacific. After all, if all the evils in the world can be blamed on religion, then arguably eliminating religion is not only desirable but a moral obligation for atheists who believe in peace.

{{Cquote|Celebrity atheists such as Richard Dawkins appear to claim the moral high ground when it comes to violence. Dawkins, along with [[Sam Harris]] and the late [[Christopher Hitchens]], insist that because religion is intrinsically violent, then atheism is inherently more pacific. After all, if all the evils in the world can be blamed on religion, then arguably eliminating religion is not only desirable but a moral obligation for atheists who believe in peace.

Yet [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0962629817302640 our research shows] that in the War on Terror, these atheists have been surprisingly willing to align themselves with policies which are at least as violent – and in some cases more so – than many of those perpetrated in the name of religion...

Yet [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0962629817302640 our research shows] that in the [[War on Terror]], these atheists have been surprisingly willing to align themselves with policies which are at least as violent – and in some cases more so – than many of those perpetrated in the name of religion...

Their arguments are not new. But, unlike more ponderous academic atheist philosophers, they seemingly cultivated combative and acerbic, media-savvy personae. Their success at writing bestselling books, giving engaging public talks and cultivating a global following through social media, has made them minor celebrities. For example, Dawkins has been depicted in [[South Park]], [[Family Guy]] and [[The Simpsons]] – and even made a cameo appearance in [[Dr. Who]].<ref>[https://theconversation.com/why-the-arguments-of-the-new-atheists-are-often-just-as-violent-as-religion-95185 ''Why the arguments of the ‘New Atheists’ are often just as violent as religion'']</ref>}}

Their arguments are not new. But, unlike more ponderous academic atheist philosophers, they seemingly cultivated combative and acerbic, media-savvy personae. Their success at writing bestselling books, giving engaging public talks and cultivating a global following through social media, has made them minor celebrities. For example, Dawkins has been depicted in [[South Park]], [[Family Guy]] and [[The Simpsons]] – and even made a cameo appearance in [[Dr. Who]].<ref>[https://theconversation.com/why-the-arguments-of-the-new-atheists-are-often-just-as-violent-as-religion-95185 ''Why the arguments of the ‘New Atheists’ are often just as violent as religion'']</ref>}}