Richard Dawkins' talk from the 2002 TED Talks was recently posted on the web (ok, it was a year ago, but I just saw it) and it's a very good summary of his views militant atheism. Now, Dawkins isn't advocating violence in support of atheism, unlike that done by so many religious groups, but rather supporting of strong atheism and an end to religion.
In my view, not only is science is corrosive to religion and religion is corrosive to science. It teaches people to be satisfied with trivial, supernatural non-explanations and blinds them to the wonderful real explanations we have within our grasp. It teaches them to accept authority, revelation and faith instead of always insisting on evidence.
I have no problem with personal faith, but I am severely disillusioned with organized religion. This was a good talk, and one I had missed up until now. Thanks for pointing it out :)
<3 TED. Heewa is starting up a discussion group with similar goals, just to have people talk and present things for the simple purpose of exposing people to ideas. The only difference with his bit is that it will be followed with discussion, so it will be a more interactive event - for better or worse.
Also similarly - are you coming up for Barcamp? I'm sure you could give a hell of a presentation on biometrics ;)
If you liked that talk, check out The God Delusion which is very much an expanded version of Dawkins' TED talk. My biggest thing is maintaining a strong separation between church and state, which has been very much eroded during the Bush administration, assisted by people like Bill O'Reilly who insist that there is a War on Christmas.
Sort of on the subject of atheism, I've wanted to create something satirically called the Church of Science (not to be confused with Scientology or the nuts from Church of Christ, Scientist). Such an organization would provide a weekly social gathering like a church but rather than a sermon, there would be a weekly talk on science, technology or engineering given by a church member or guest.
There's a Barcamp in Berkely on the 29th, which I might attend since it's near my new home but, as for the Rochester gathering, I don't think so.