Here Vladimir Tor tor85 writes about his impressions of visiting the "Forbidden Art 2006" exhibition. The first impulse was to smash the place up. Fortunately, Vladimir restrained that impulse and acted in a fairly civilized way. He submitted a written demand to the police to shut down the exhibition and hold those responsible accountable. At the same time, he is creating a coordinating group for the "suppression of filth." I really like what he is doing. Just as I like the banner-bearers (Orthodox monarchist activists) protesting the gay pride parade, the little old ladies protesting singer Madonna, and everyone protesting Gelman’s activities (except those who beat Gelman up). This is real civil society. The only thing is, I also like exhibitions like this. What’s more, about five years ago I considered myself a convinced atheist, and I loved exhibitions like this precisely because they infuriate believers. It seemed to me that any action that annoyed the "bearded crooks in cassocks" was a good thing. More or less the way maxim_kononenko is acting now with his proposal to ban the Russian Orthodox Church. And it has to be admitted: that too is real civil society. No less civic than the defenders of Orthodoxy and Faith. So in that connection I have a question for my Orthodox and generally believing friends: Do you think exhibitions like this should simply be banned outright? In any form? After all, "Forbidden Art" is not being held in a state exhibition hall, but in a private venue. There is no direct advertising for the exhibition. No "random person" is going to just wander in. So the only religious feelings that can be offended are those of someone who came there specifically to have their feelings offended. There are people—maybe they’re crazy, but for them this is art. Where are they supposed to hold their exhibitions? Beyond the MKAD (the Moscow Ring Road)? Beyond the Urals? In open penal colonies? Where? As for me, I would legally require the organizers of such exhibitions to put up signs saying: "The exhibits on display may offend the religious feelings of some individuals. You may wish to refrain from visiting the exhibition."