For almost 11 weeks in Scotland this year, it was illegal for followers of any religion to practise or manifest their faith by attending their church or place of worship. Even amid the turmoil of the Covid-19 pandemic, that is a remarkably stark fact to consider.
Has the pandemic weakened religious liberty?
Dr Dennis Petri has just been as the new head of the International Institute for Religious Freedom (IIRF), a global network of academics dedicated to providing quality data and evidence on the subject at a time when millions of Christians continue to live under oppression and persecution because of their faith. He speaks to Christian Today about some of the areas of concern and what impact the pandemic has had on religious liberty.