India, Sept. 22 -- Less than a fortnight ago, two young motorcyclists rode up to the little church in New Delhi where I worship. They asked the caretaker bluntly whether we were indulging in conversion. When he said no, they did not leave. They threatened him that if we converted anyone, they would bulldoze our church.

How did the two boys find the courage to make such a threat? Cowardice is often loud. Rage is often bravado without substance. These young men were lumpen elements - India has no shortage of them. But we were not, and we will never be, cowed. We practise our religion openly. We hang our cross, we ring our bells, and we live by a creed that has room for the stranger. Threats cannot change that.

If those fellows had taken a...