Love and Religion conflicts=help!

I am a Muslim girl, still young in that my heart wishes to rule over y head but old enough to be responsible for my actions and try at least to see beyond what seems to make perfect sense in what others call my "fantasy land". I am religious in that I truely do believe in Islam and will debate anything about religion because it always turns out into furthur confirmation of my belief but I am also an idealist believing that love should be manifested in everything through its four meanings including love of God, and that if love enacts your every action it will amount to the same as the actions of a true believer. Anyways I was debating religion with a boy, on the internet, whom after about a year now we've decided the connection between us was that of true love and I believe so with all my heart. He has the best of hearts, pious, loving, filled with goodness and carries all the qualities I had ever admired in a man but he is Baptist Christian. I was conforted by the knowledge that we are both very,very open to different beliefs and peoples and beside his rejection of Muhammed and his message he loves and glorifies God as much as I do, seeing his wonder in everything and always praising and thanking and trusting and hoping and praying to God. But he is Christian. And we have talked about marriage, we want to get married and be people of the world spreading love and faith and goodness in a nomadic way, raising children with a strong love for God and real values and adopting those without love. We are so alike to, we complete each other really and I promised myself I would never say "I Love You" to anyone but my to be husband, my partner for life. I just recently went to the Youth Camp with my mosque and when I brought us up they tore me apart kindly. They said I was making acceptions for the word of God, that our marriage will not be concidered valid and our relationship is haraam and that unless he converts there is no other way anything can be allowed to happen between us. I dont know what to say to him, I dont know what to do, I love him dearly but I love Allah more! Please help, what is your opinion on the matter?

How often this scenario has come up on these boards over the years.  Really only the names change, but circumstance pretty much the same.  Young men and women involving themselves in relationships which are disliked and forbidden, thus producing conflict and pain for their hearts.  Talking with this boy for over a year and justifying it as debating or dawah until sexual tension builds to the point of discussing a relationship.  How often, over the past years of internet, have we heard of girls leaving home to meet total and complete strangers because of "love" or otherwise satisfying desires.  It is going to hurt, but this is the result of your unwise action and behavior, however you must end this relationship. 

You need to tell the young man the truth- that because you are female your religion forbids the relationship.  Don't continue to string him along.

I know this is my test that Allah gave me, the one that truely got me at my weakness, my real struggle, for had he given me poverty or failure it would not have marred me. So it is my choice, based on my view of good and evil and what is most important to me, that he will judge me on. It was either him- his love and my dream of living or Islamic law and being part of the perfect society with a muslim man and what such a life brings. I listened to your words and made clear that I understand but none the less I choose him. I'm sure even if I listed the reasons or gave you my thoughts and heart to examine you would think the same and condem me. One thing I promise, inshallah it may ease your heads of worry has it done so, that I will never turn away from the light of Allah, for having once seen it and known the truth I can distinguish the dark and lies. The Quran and Muhammed (pbh) is my guide and Allah is the only Lord, inshallah he will see it too. You will see us helping humanity and spreading faith and love.