I could have a rant about religion and lack of good is does in the world if you like?
On the girl front...its a tricky one...you friend has a point though
I personally think I would struggle to be in a relationship with anyone who was religious and in which their beliefs impacted on mine, or in which I may be lectured on rights and wrongs in any way.
I wouldn't like something I don't believe in being allowed to restrict something I like doing
Selfish, I know, but I think I'd become resentful.
I'm the opposite to you - the people I end up with are people I tend to know quite well - friends of friends.
Although I do think it is something that would resolve itself in it's own way and maybe you shouldn't worry about it so early on. Ask her to go play a game of pool and see how it unfurls, if nothing else, she might become a closer friend
Have you considered just asking her if she'd like to go for a bite to eat?
If she says no, well, you didn't actually ask her on a date, so don't beat yourself up over it, and remind yourself of the things you don't have in common.
If she says yes, then it's still not a date, but gives you a chance to talk someplace other than work, and gives her a chance to see you in another light.
If she asks if you're asking her on a date, you can always be shy and say you're not sure, and see what her reaction is.
You've known her at work for a long time, and you've given her flowers recently, so there's no harm at all in asking her out for a meal.
Who knows? You might have dinner together and realize that she's not quite the person you'd want to be with anyway. Or maybe you'll like her even more, and she might find that she enjoys being with you.
As for the drinking, well, I don't drink. Okay, I drink a couple times a year, and even then it's just a couple beers. If she's AGAINST drinking, then you're doomed unless you give up drinking. If she doesn't drink, but doesn't care if you do, then as long as you don't get smashed around her, you should be fine. (Don't order alcohol on your first couple dinners).
Sex..... well, that's a big issue. Like you, I don't want empty sex, but I do want sex when I'm in a relationship. Having said that, I'm both lonely and horny, so being in a sexless relationship would at least solve the loneliness problem. It could drive you nuts to abstain while being with someone you like, so I don't know what to suggest.
Actually, this is what I'll suggest - ignore it for now. Concentrate on asking her to dinner. Worry about that step when you get there. Who knows? You might not mind. And then the horny guy in me says maybe after awhile, her resolve will wilt and things may happen.
Life is full of 'what if's', 'buts' and 'maybe's'. Sometimes we just have to go with it and see how it turns out. Occasionally it works. It's what makes us individual and what brings different people to us. It wouldn't do any harm to ask this girl to go on a date with you, drink or meal. You'll never get to know what her real beliefs are until you talk to her properly.
On the girl front...its a tricky one...you friend has a point though