How does this even happen?

Get off my team and go have a wholesome family dinner ya filthy casual!

So basically, this was “unveiled” a bit after they had officially gotten together. They met at work, he didn’t know her age and they grew an emotional connection to each other. When her age was revealed to him, they both agreed to “make it work”. Even with the uncomfortable situation he has not only put himself in, but all of us, I’m more so concerned that he isn’t grasping why she and her parents are ok with it and the possible moral concerns. Yes, her parents gave the OK. But from what I know through him, they’re Jehovah witnesses. Nothing against the religion at all, but I think it helps to explain their views on it.

So taking into account that she was raised in a religious environment that likely influenced her views on this relationship, and that she is a teenager in high school and likely thinks dating someone older is cool, I have my own moral dilemma with it all.

He has tried to spin it every possible way to sway everyone to his side of things. Using phrases like

“She’s super mature for her age” “she isn’t like us when we were 17” “I love her” “17 is basically almost 18, it’s not like she can’t make decisions” among other things.

All of this rubbed me the wrong way. Initially, I just wanted to see my friend happy and knew he wasn’t in this for any weird sexual thing. But after thinking about it more, I just couldn’t help but get completely disgusted by it. I’ve explained to him my position on the subject. Making sure he knows I don’t see him as a horrible person, but that I myself am just not comfortable with being around it. I told him I wasn’t cutting him out of my life, but I would need to step away from the friendship for a bit. He didn’t like that.

He has called me rude, a bad friend, pulling things out like “You’re like a sister to me”, and lots of other things. I would attach the photos of texts but it’s lengthy.

On Sunday night, while I was visiting family, he sent me (what I called in my head a master doc on why it’s ok to date a minor) a 1,000 word text explaining why my points are null and why I should be ok with it.

One example of what I gave him to maybe put into perspective on why it made me uncomfortable, was that my 15yr old cousin literally goes to school with his girlfriend. His response was this:

“Going deeper into it the going to school with your cousin argument is a little bit absurd, considering high school is 13-19. Not saying 13 and 19 year olds are right in dating each other or even will, but I’m saying it to highlight the fact that —- isnt 13, she’s not a freshman, has almost 30 college credits, sober, we met working diligently together, and if we’re arguing difference in life stages / maturity: it’s all about what you’re doing with your time, who you’re being guided by, what independent choices you’re making, how they affect you, who knows about them, what life hits you with and the mindfulness of others that equates to maturity.”

Just to show you how he’s talking about it.

I guess what I’m asking is, am I overreacting about this and shouldn’t have stepped away from the friendship?

TLDR; I have moral issues with my friend dating a high schooler and he is upset that I am stepping away from the friendship because of this reason.