This is how Janys Scott QC opened her argument for the 27 Scottish church leaders who challenged the Scottish government over their forced closure of churches during the pandemic.

 

Janys Scott QC continued: "The primary purpose for worship is not for social or mental well-being. Public worship is a robust central aspect of the practice of the Christian both individually and as a church. It is important because it is no exaggeration to say that over the centuries Christians have died in the defence of the public worship in the church and Christians continue to die in the defence of the public worship in church.   Her argument prevailed. This week, Lord Braid in the Court of Session delivered a historic judgment stating that it was not for the Scottish government to "dictate to the petitioners or to the additional party, that, henceforth, or even for the duration of the pandemic, worship is to be conducted on-line. That might be an alternative to worship but it is not worship. At very best for the respondents, in modern parlance, it is worship-lite. (From Christian Concern, the website for all Christians) Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which states: “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion… including the right to manifest his religion or belief, in worship, teaching, practice and observance.” Christian Concern supported the Ministers in their challenge