In the top five stories at sydneyanglicans.net this week, the latest on same sex marriage and persecution of Christians in Asia and the Middle East.

On Tuesday, Prime Minister Gillard wrote an opinion piece in the Herald, announcing she would go to the ALP National Conference backing a conscience vote on same sex marriage but no change in the ALP platform on the issue. Labour policy is to leave the Marriage Act as it is.

In her own words, the PM says ''My position flows from my strong conviction that the institution of marriage has come to have a particular meaning and standing in our culture and nation and that should continue unchanged.''

What does that mean? Some knowledgeable reporters say any same sex marriage bill would be doomed. But, the ACL is not impressed and wants Christians to maintain the pressure through its Make a Stand site and petition.

In State Parliament, there's to be an inquiry into Ethics classes and also a mandated 30 minutes of teaching time for scripture (and ethics).

The other main issue this week is new reports of persecution in Asia. Two examples - an attack on protestant churches in Vietnam and a grenade attack on an orphanage in Burma. Meanwhile, the latest on Iranian pastor Yousef  Nadarkhani indicates that he is in deteriorating health as he awaits a verdict on death row. Compass Direct reports that his jailers have continued to pressure him to recant his faith, including forcing him to read Islamic literature aimed at discrediting the Bible.  

Other must-read stories, Ian Paisley retires, the Church of Scotland split over gay clergy and a discovery worthy of Time Team, the ruins of the oldest U.S. Protestant Church.

Late Update: an awful tragedy at a nursing home in Western Sydney - Quaker's Hill Anglican Church, which is nearby, has rushed to help out (other coverage here and here).