I came from a very civilized place where a bunch of girls sang a song wearing masks in the cathedral (there were very few other people), recorded a video [1] without the sound and then put it on the youtube. They have been imprisoned without justice for 3 months and recently their stay was extended for another 2.
Russia really has a wonder in intellectuals with science and art to give to the world -- I wish all your oil disappear, so there isn't anything for the politicians to steal anymore :-(
Besides, the problem there is hardly the cathedral, it is the opposition to your thieves of politicians.
The problem is in both. Cathedral was used as a weapon of mass approval for the punishment. And it worked :-( I don't care much for politicians, they come and go, but when half of the population (I'm very conservative here) approves the injustice based on blasphemy, I lose the faith.
[1] http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SPTBIJg5nw