A man arrested in London for singing a gospel song on the street has become a flashpoint over religious freedom in Britain, and it looks bad for anyone who thought free speech there was safe.

• A street singer was picked up by police in London for performing a gospel song.
• Police have also stopped people on the street to ask whether they were praying silently in their heads.
• The contrast is sharp: large Muslim street prayers during religious holidays go ahead without trouble.
• Britain, once a Christian country, is now seen by some abroad as a place where prayer itself draws police attention.
• That is straining the sense of shared culture between Britain and allies who see it as a Christian nation.

Outlook: Expect more arrests like this to turn into political fights over policing, religion, and free speech in Britain.