In England, the 'language of God' is being stripped from public conversation due to embarrassment. In Australia, coverage of religious affairs is becoming harder find, unless it's on child abuse or church arguments.

As Sydney Anglicans made news this week, Sydneyanglicans.net has been the source of stories for secular journalists.

Persecution moves out of the third world and into the first world this week as British Christians seem to be under increasing pressure.

I've always found the accusation that the church is obsessed with sex rather ironic, given how much time the media devotes to it. While papers rarely report any church affairs, they certainly jump in with gusto when homosexuality is raised.

As I scan the media every day for Sydney Anglicans breaking news links, some things just make you shake your head in disbelief and others make you stand up and cheer.

The Federal Budget was set to catch and keep our attention this week. And yet the public 'trial' of one of Rugby League's best-known personalities stole the limelight.

As swine flu and recession talk continue to hog the headlines, challenging stats in the news this week remind us we need to haul out the hospitality for our neighbours' sake.

Do we have a serious swine flu outbreak on our hands? While some could say 'Pigs might fly', it is serious enough to prompt churches to close. That's why I'm putting it at the top of my list of news stories for the week.

It's been a week of Government handling of religious matters and some regrettable headlines for Christians in Parliament. But religious liberty still makes good press.

They call Christmas the silly season as journos search for stories when the world goes on holidays. This week shows Easter is getting just as silly as newshounds look for new angles on the old, old story.

Dr Peter Jensen defending free speech and the resignation of the man many thought should have been the Archbishop of Canterbury head the top 5 stories on our breaking news watch this week, as Russell Powell ranks them.

The past news week is an excellent reminder that a news story doesn't have to be religious to get tongues wagging on issues that lead to the gospel.

Undoubtedly the biggest media flurry this week was the 'betting on Good Friday' story. For many this was a bridge too far, writes Russell Powell.

In Russell Powell's top 5 this week are stories from opposite ends of the globe with the same theme: Christians feeling let down by leaders who declared support for Christian values.

My choice for the top news story this week indicates Sydneysiders may have much in common with Europe's 'least religious' people group, writes Russell Powell in his news roundup.