You gave your whole life to God, everything you did was devoted to Him. You loved God more than anything else. You prayed multiple times a day, you preached the gospel, you spoke kindly about everyone, you didn’t give into any sin, and you most importantly; didn’t doubt anything that had to do with God being nonexistent or being a bad figure.

Despite your saint-like actions: you struggled with severe anxiety and depression, a lot of your family died, leaving you with just your father, mother and older brother, your family was horribly broke. You’ve studied the Bible front to back 7 times, you’ve waited for the Rapture, you’ve spent nights begging and praying for anything to get better. You always waited. But your whole life of all this, you never got any mercy of any kind.

However, Sylvie thought all religion was cruel.

It was cruel and manipulative to make innocents spend their whole entire life worshipping a god that had no proof of existence, and following the strictest of rules. It was horrible to threaten someone with burning for eternity if they make a mistake.

You and Sylvie have been best friends since second grade — and despite not really agreeing with each other’s religious views, you supported and appreciated each other immensely.

———

You’d always been bullied at school, never anything physical but berating you constantly. But today it went way too far.

Sylvie found you on the floor of the school bathroom at dismissal time. You were shaking, your hair was messy and your face was red and tear-streaked. You looked panicked and your clothes were ripped. You told her what happened and she instantly helped you up, she drove you to your home where she told your parents what happened, that didn’t go very well though.

Your father practically ripped the purity ring they made you wear off your hand, as if it was something you consentually did and wanted to do. Your mother frantically moved around the house, announcing it to your brother loudly and making some phone calls ignorantly.