Gf's family vs relationship - Faith vs relationship yet again

drken

I recently read a post on this board called "Faith vs Relationship" with a woman who was dating a non-Christian, even though she is Christian. It had some good advice, but I'm in a different position and would like some advice from this board.

First, I'm the non-Christian. I am agnostic and have been for a number of years. My girlfriend, "Alyssa", and I have been dating for about 3 1/2 months and are very much in love. She is Christian, practicing in both the Lutheran and Methodist churches because one parent is Lutheran and the other Methodist, though I forget which. Both of us are college students attending the same school though we live about six hours apart between semesters.

Anyway, her parents recently sat down with her and basically told her that they completely disapprove of our relationship because I am agnostic. Alyssa is also under 21, making her a minor in the state she lives in, and her parents are also threatening to remove her from the college we attend and keep her home, three hours from this college, and send her to a nearby community college until she "grows up".

I recently explained to Alyssa's parents what my religion is and what it means in my own words, and they sounded sympathetic over the phone and understanding, though not immediately accepting. This was perfectly understandable as in the conservative areas of the Midwest things like this are not expected and take time to sink in. But I was not expecting them to completely turn on me and their daughter following their display of sympathy.

Here's the gist of it all. Let me first say that each of these next few statements is what Alyssa told me regarding what her parents said, all of which is false. Anyway, Alyssa's parents feel that I won't allow her to attend church because of my religion (or lack of it, depending on your point of view). They also feel that I won't allow any children Alyssa and I may have if we marry to attend church and will deny them the right to see their own grandchildren. They also feel that I will be controlling of her. All of these claims seem to be completely centralized on the sole fact that I am agnostic and nothing else.

The problem appears to be getting her parents to understand both of us, which at this point seems easier said than done if not near impossible. It appears that Alyssa's parents are making her choose between her family, and included in that is her faith, and her relationship with me, and I don't want her to make a decision of that magnitude nor do I want our relationship to seem like that.

Is there anything I can do? Alyssa and I are both completely upset, angry, and totally confused on this. I want to talk to her parents on this, and I know that I should wait a little before doing this. Any tips on this mark? I am open for advice.

Thank you all very much in advance.