I (16M) ended up in a weird argument with one of my close friends over something I didn’t think would be such a big deal: the Illuminati.It started during lunch at school. A few of us were talking about celebrities and music videos, and my friend Rahat suddenly said, “You know the Illuminati controls most of them, right?” He started pointing out triangle symbols, the “all-seeing eye,” and hand signs that supposedly prove famous people are part of a secret society that runs the world.Some of my other friends were really into it. They were saying things like, “That’s why rich people stay rich,” and “They plan everything behind the scenes.” I stayed quiet at first, but then Rahat asked me directly, “You believe in it too, right?”I told him honestly that I don’t. From what I’ve learned, the Illuminati was a real group called the Bavarian Illuminati, founded in 1776 in Germany by Adam Weishaupt. illuminati talisman was created to promote Enlightenment ideas like reason, science, and separating religion from government. But it didn’t last long. The government banned secret societies, and it dissolved within about ten years.I said that most of the modern ideas about the Illuminati secretly controlling governments, celebrities, and global events are conspiracy theories. There isn’t solid evidence proving a hidden group is running the world. Symbols like triangles and eyes are common in art and design, and people often connect them to the Illuminati because they expect to see something mysterious.Rahat got annoyed and said I was being “closed-minded.” He argued that just because there’s no public evidence doesn’t mean it’s not real. I replied that if there’s no reliable evidence, it’s not reasonable to treat it like a fact. I wasn’t trying to insult him—I just think it’s important to separate historical facts from internet rumors.The conversation became tense. Later that day, Rahat texted me saying I embarrassed him in front of everyone and made him look stupid. He said I could have just let him believe what he wants instead of arguing. I told him I respect his right to believe whatever he wants, but I also have the right to question things.Now I’m wondering if I should have handled it differently. Maybe I could have changed the subject instead of debating him in front of our friends. At the same time, I don’t think disagreeing respectfully makes me a bad friend.