27 Comments

Please please please submit this as an op ed to the NYT or likewise big paper!

The hypocrisy of MAGA knows no bounds. I did just read that Gaetz withdrew as the AG pick, though. Not that that helps.

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Aw Kate, I appreciate you so, so much. I’m finishing my memoir and wouldn’t even know where to begin submitting this right now, but I’m totally gratified, fulfilled, and amazed to have this community here reading my thoughts. Once I’ve got this book done, I can get back to thinking about other things, or so I tell myself, lol. And yes, I saw that he withdrew. That must be some report! I fear the absurdity of the next nominee, but I am happy for this small win. I’ll take whatever wins we can get right now. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for being here, you made my day❤️

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Another wonderful piece that I absolutely loved reading. As an atheist, I'm always amazed that the people who most loudly proclaim their religiosity are the ones who lead lives that are so opposite what religion is teaching and this seems to be true across all religions.

As for Eve, one of my favorite poems is the Autobiography of Eve by Ansel Elkins, especially the last part "Let it be known: I did not fall from grace. I leapt to freedom."

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Thank you so much. And I just read that poem and got goosebumps. No shocker, but I agree with you - any religion that’s making people less empathetic, compassionate, patient, tolerant and self-aware seems to have eaten its own tail to me, and needs a reboot. That poem shall stay with me, thank you so much, Sonbol ❤️I’m so glad you’re here xx

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This was an awesome read, I agree with Kate, it really needs to go beyond Substack.

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Thank you so much, Laura. I really appreciate it and I’m very thankful you’re here🤍

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Hey Ally, this was a brilliant read, partially because I was raised Christian and even attempted to move to different Christian branch but still I couldn't work out what it's about and that was many years ago. In a book by Joseph Campbell, The Power Of Myth he mentions serpent as symbol of life. I can't recall the details but it woke me up to possibility that we somehow got the whole story wrong. And if we indeed got it wrong, what else is also wrong?

I discovered that those who deem to know THE ONLY TRUTH and won't miss any opportunity to declare it and expect others to immediately recognise their superiority are the least trustworthy.

I don't think I have a religion I follow, I fell in love with some discoveries of neuroscience and to a degree I believe what they said that all our thinking really comes down to specific chemical reactions, you know, the whole gut brain highway. Of course I don't think world can be explained just by most recent neuroscientific discoveries, but I am beginning to think that we are indeed some kind of computers with a bit of self consciousness. And just today I woke up to a comment on my Facebook from a distant friend where she was commenting back on my reply regarding her obsession with music and how one can observe another person via their vinyl or CD collection and I could say the same about essays one writes. You are right, it is love that is what I would call it. How one goes about explaining it can vary, but I hope that by the way I comment here you know I love your writing.

I love how it resonates.

As always, much love to you and your family. Namaste 🙏

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Well, you have this theologian’s support! I think you make some excellent connections.

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Thank you so much, Lexi. Means a lot coming from you. And I’m so glad you’re here 🤍

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you’re awesome. 💕

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Back at you ♥️ And I’m so happy you’re here xx

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Ooh, I did Not know about Aspasia, now I do! Grateful to you, thanks! Also, brilliant piece 💖

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You are not alone! And thank you so much, lots of love <3

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I'm late to this party, but it's such a damn good party, that I'm happy I got here at all. And for the record, this grown woman who was once a little, rule-following, Rosary-saying Catholic girl is going to eat as many apples as she can while she's here on this little blue planet. Thanks for being funny and brilliant and enlightening. <3

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Um, thanks for making my entire day and more with this comment. Late to the party is always fine and when you come bearing gifts like this, you can be as late as you like. Cheers to the apple eaters!! 🍎🍎🍎❤️

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This was just brilliant. I love this snarky retelling of these bible stories, so much. The Lilith story is totally new to me! Had never heard it!

The thing that came to my mind (and this might be niche??) was that concert tour of the 90s - The Lilith Fair. All the great women artists of the time, descending into towns across America, under the banner name Lilith. Just incredible.

For you: a playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2wCqTjo3t4VC6dJ9ONxLBV?si=e9gJ0gZcRxGOFwGytiGHbQ&pi=u-cV3_gO2sQ9K1

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Yes! I went in 1997, it was incredible. And yes, the festival was named after Lilith - I think that’s the first time I learned about her - though I don’t remember digging into the story beyond the main details. Probably because I was in my twenties and wasn’t as enraged then lol. Or maybe I was but couldn’t have named it then. I can’t wait to listen to your playlist, thank you!!

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Would totally enroll in Ally Hamilton's Modernized Biblical History...or maybe you can make this into a rap song? (your name is Hamilton, like the bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a Scotsman dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot in the Caribbean, no relation?) TEAM LILITH.

Love that you're writing a memoir. Put me down for many advanced copies. Love and hugs. xo

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🤣🤣🤣 Eileen. I just laughed so loudly my daughter came in to ask me what was so funny. I will think hard about a rap song or perhaps a biblical workshop for the seething and snarky lol. And thank you re the memoir, and love and hugs back times a million.

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Brilliant, once more.

My dad, who was a scientist and a practicing catholic, believed humans were unfit to exist without the sense of belonging to a larger group. The group shared beliefs, rules, symbols, rituals, and - more often than not- a charismatic leader and common enemy. This goes for Christianity (defined by liturgy, commandments, the cross, prayer, Jesus, non-believers) as well as for Nazis (Arian supremacy/ loyalty to the Führer/ the swastika/ the marching and the Hitler salute, Hitler, etc.). Most of the religions, cults and movements we know of were defined by men who were more than happy to suppress/oppress their female counterparts. I take solace in the Utopian version that was put forward by Octavia Butler and the "Parable of the Sower" which was based on empathy and equality. Maybe, when this shit-show is over and if the earth is still alive, we can try to truly change the narrative and put the descendants of Lauren Olamina in charge. Or you. Fingers crossed.

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Oh, Helia, thank you for your comments. I think your dad was right, I think humans do better when we feel like we are part of something greater than any one of us, and I hope it’s pretty clear I believe that, too. I just don’t tie it to any religion or ideology with a controlling, authoritarian, vengeful male at the top of the team lol. We definitely need something different. I just went and read the Parable of the Sower and loved it. It is so much about getting it or not getting it. If you realize we’re all in it together and caring about your neighbors not only makes sense, it feels better, then there’s no end to the good things that can grow in that environment. And if you don’t get it? Well, I guess you get an orange menace and toxic crops for a while. Let’s hope the roots hold and we can grown something beautiful from all this heartache eventually. Until then, I shall meet you here. Hugs, love and so much gratitude ❤️

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I know this wasn’t for me. You addressed as much at the beginning but I love your writing so I read as much as I could as painful as it was. I’m sorry the election didn’t go the way you had hoped but this is just so far off from the actual Bible that I have read a few times through. There seems to be so much anger here (and last week) that is railing against the wrong thing. Just my thoughts. Looking forward to your memoir.

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Hey Sarah. I’m so sorry this was painful. I was hoping to avoid that with my note, as you mentioned 😔 I appreciate that my writing is something that usually resonates, but of course feel terrible that’s why you forged ahead. I wish we could grab a coffee and talk face-to-face.

I really do have all the respect in the world for people who have a religious practice and foundation as long as it isn’t hurting anyone else. I have a very, very close family member who has gone down a religious path that few would follow, and would never hurt anyone, nor tell anyone else how to live, love, or pray. I love him to the ends of this earth. I don’t know if that helps, but thought I’d share.

I’m not sure why last week was upsetting, though? Both last week and this week I have been thinking about the stories many of us have grown up with, and the damage some of those stories have done. I can certainly understand why this week would be painful to someone who takes comfort in the Bible. And I am not an expert on the Bible, and would never pretend to be. I wanted to dig into the Adam and Eve story because I do think it permeates the culture, even for people who are not Christian and not religious. But I would never want to hurt anyone.

The biggest emotion I’m feeling right now is despair. I feel rage when I think about the relentless messaging of the Trump/Vance campaign, but also a very deep sadness. I feel rage when I see men who have been credibly accused or convicted of sexual assault holding the highest offices in the land, or being nominated to hold them. It gives men and boys and girls and women the message that men can do that and not pay a price. Not only not pay a price, they can go forward and succeed at the highest levels. And I believe in my core that a big part of what we’re dealing with is misogyny, bigotry and racism. And the effects of existing as girls and then women in a patriarchy. That’s what I’m raging against.

I do understand there are far too many people living in the margins, and too many who can’t feed their families, or even figure out how to survive themselves. I understand if someone is in that position, hearing the economy is strong, and all the experts say so - is not going to be comforting or reassuring. It’s not going to feel like this person or this party gets it.

Beyond that, of course I want the world to be a more peaceful place for everyone. I hate that we go to war and set out to get what we want by force, or back up our allies when they do the same. If I could close my eyes and snap my fingers and give the world a reset I’d do it right this second. I don’t know how we got to a place where it sounds naive to say things could be so wonderful if we’d just understand we’re one people on one planet, or that we’d have enough resources for everyone if we shared and didn’t take more than we needed, and that we don’t all have to agree with each other on everything, but we can still coexist. But here we are.

I think a lot of people are going to suffer because of the way the election went, and I’m worried about many different aspects of what’s to come. I’m worried for my children and all our children, I’m worried for my friends, I’m worried for marginalized people I care about more than I can say. I’m worried for the planet, and the strides we were making, even in small ways, to deal with the climate crisis. And I feel in my heart these people who were just elected are not the people to solve the very serious problems we face. And I am grieving and raging and also hoping with all my heart it won’t be as bad as I fear.

I take a lot of comfort in the comments section every week, from people who are also worried and want the world to be a lot kinder than this. And it’s okay if we have different views about where the right places are to direct those feelings, though I am very sorry that my essay this week took aim at a practice that brings you peace, and that reading what I wrote hurt you. I’m very sorry about that, Sarah. And I’m sending you a lot of love ❤️

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You are a true MENSCH, Ally Hamilton. If only you were the president of this godforsaken country that suffers from a severe lack of empathy -- there'd be hope for us.

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Thanks so much, Helia. You’re the best ❤️

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Thank you.

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Thank you for being here, Sharon. And for sharing 🤍

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