FROM the commotion at Bale Endah, Bandung, two weeks ago, one fact stands out: Doomsday is not something that is really frightening, at least for a community ready to welcome it. The followers of Mangapin Sibuea reportedly waited for the "end of the world" calmly and by singing, even in the face of threats by local people to burn down the Prophet's Corner where they had assembled. As we know, Doomsday was "called off".

The police and local resi