In our high school circle, there's a girl named Melanie who’s deeply entrenched in her Christian faith. Melanie is a devout follower and attends a local Baptist church every Sunday without fail. This personal devotion has never been an issue for us; in fact, it’s always been inspiring to see someone derive so much happiness from their faith.

Initially, Melanie’s religious expressions were subtle and respectful. She’d wear her cross pendant and occasionally share Bible verses on her social media platforms. However, over time, her approach began to change, becoming more overt and, frankly, overwhelming. It reached a point where she would arrive at our school lunch table with a Bible in hand, frequently interjecting our conversations with phrases like “God is amazing!” and persistently sharing her religious views.

Her approach intensified when she started a separate Instagram account to advocate for living a holy life according to scripture. She even attempted to launch a Christian podcast. The tipping point for us came one day over lunch when Melanie ranted about how "disrespectful" it was for people to wear cross necklaces if they weren't devout Christians. She also criticized "Jesus Christ Superstar"—a musical I hold dear—claiming it was blasphemous.

I felt compelled to address her that day. While I acknowledged her right to her beliefs, I expressed that her constant integration of religious commentary into every aspect of her interaction was becoming exhausting for everyone. I also explained that artistic interpretations like the musical were valid explorations of Jesus as a historical figure.

Melanie snapped back, questioning, "Are you implying you’re better than Jesus?" Frustrated, I retorted, maybe too harshly, "Look, Jesus loves you, but even he would appreciate it if you toned it down a bit."

This escalated to me criticizing her for letting her religion overshadow her personality and subtly implying she was superior because of her devoutness. Melanie hasn't spoken to us since that confrontation. Though my friends support my stance, claiming Melanie was being hypocritical and overbearing, I’m left questioning if I was too harsh.

The sarcasm and choice of words, in hindsight, might have been unnecessary. Reflecting on this, I can't help but wonder what the immediate reaction would be if this confrontation occurred in the setting of a reality show. Likely, it would have been sensationalized, with dramatic music and close-ups, possibly swaying public sympathy towards Melanie for being 'attacked' over her faith, or alternatively, it could have painted me as a protagonist standing up to religious zealotry, depending on the audience's prevailing attitudes.