I can relate to this post because where I come from religion is a big deal - you can be a wife beater or whatever but that doesn't matter - if you are not seen at church you are considered an outcast - am I missing something here?

My faith is personal - I do not impose it on anyone or pretend to be pious while spreading the most vicious gossip as soon as church is over

I think it was kind of you to give her such a nice explanation - I wouldn't be - one look at my RBF (lol) and she wouldn't go there - enough said