PLANS to build a £1 million ($1.47 million) ''temple for atheists'' among the international banks and medieval church spires of London have sparked a clash between two of Britain's most prominent non-believers.

The philosopher and writer Alain de Botton is proposing to build a 46-metre tower to celebrate a ''new atheism'' as an antidote to what he describes as Richard Dawkins's ''aggressive'' and ''destructive'' approach to non-belief.

Feud ... Richard Dawkins would rather spend money on secular education than the temple proposed by Alain de Botton. Credit:AFP

Rather than attack religion, Mr de Botton said he wants to borrow the idea of awe-inspiring buildings that give people a better sense of perspective on life.

''Normally a temple is to Jesus, Mary or Buddha but you can build a temple to anything that's positive and good,'' he said. ''That could mean a temple to love, friendship, calm or perspective … Because of Richard Dawkins and Christopher Hitchens, atheism has become known as a destructive force.''