What do you think of the phrase, "Hate sin but love the sinner"?

Question

Personally, I find it condescending and confusing. I often turn it around on them with "Hate the Christ but love the Christian."

Answer 1

I think it pretty much sums up how I feel. I have been in love with a gay man for ten years now, for all the good it's done me. I also have lots of gay (male) friends. I don't really CARE if they are sinning or not, but when it comes to my gay "boyfriend", it's a different story! I HATE his sinful homosexual ways, even if he's not acting on them, and they're just in his mind. But that doesn't keep me from loving HIM! Of course, HE would like for me to absolve him from all guilt, and tell him what he WANTS to hear - that I don't think his queer ways are sinful, after all, and I totally "accept" him for who he "is" - but that ain't NEVER gonna happen!!!

Answer 2

If you genuinely find it condescending and confusing, I wonder if you may be missing the point of the phrase all together. Seems like you may have something against anyone who is Christian, who may say this or feel this way, as a means of defending yourself. and what not....

I think the phrase is a very good, simple example of what Christ is all about. You see, biblically, we all have sinned. Yep, even the Jerry Falwells and John Hagees of the world. A human being cannot exist without committing some type of sin during his life - even during his walk with Christ. What the phrase means, or is meant to tell us, is that even though we are sinners ("we" being ALL people) Christ still loves us, and his gift of redemption is still available to us. A person who truly has Christ in his/her heart will be the first to admit that they are NOT perfect NOR sinless - they are simply forgiven.

It is important to point out here that sin is NOT ranked anywhere in scripture. It is all the same in the eyes of God. WE may have different feelings about it (killing someone is a much worse sin, than say, lying to a teacher about what happened to your homework), but sin is sin, none worse, none better, and most importantly, non beyond Christ's ability to redeem.

Answer 3

Actually if you want to turn it around - it should be hate (the practice of) Christianity but love the Christian.

I doubt Christ was a bad man in any way- it is his followers who have done the bad things.

Answer 4

The same folks that use this phase also enjoy starting sentences with "Well, I'm not a racist, but..."- which is invariably followed by a broad, negative generalization about a minority group. Just saying you "love" someone is meaningless, and isn't likely to score you any brownie points with your creator; the proof is in your actions, and if your actions are to demean, belittle, and do harm to others, then clearly you don't "love" this person.

Answer 5

According to the bible we should hate people that eat Pig ears on the Sabbath, if that is a sin then give me some Pork rinds to munch on. Love all people is Jesus's message, that message didn't say anything about hating Gay people. Being Gay isn't a sin according to Jesus, if it was he would have said so. And never did. Love is the message..

Answer 6

I think it's a lie the bigots tell themselves - like most of what shelley m spouts seems to be lies
Edit: After the one thumbsup I feel like adding this saying is similar to when people claim that they have a black/gay freind and then launch into a hysterical bigotted attack on that group like as if the fact they claim to have a freind makes it ok

Answer 7

This is just an idiom without any meaning, sin can't exists until someone commit it. However, if sin is grave and extremely serious that we can hate the sinner. But if sin is trivial, made by error, not pre planned, provoked by quick emotion, than we may agree with this idiom.

Answer 8

The idea is that everyone is capable of achieving redemption; that no one should be defined by his affliction, but rather by his potential.
I know that you are referring to homosexuality, and I, as a Christian, am still trying to reconcile that.

Answer 9

It is hardly a step forward from "Hate the sin and the sinner."

Anytime someone is inserting hate into the mix, it's no longer about love & concern. It's about passing judgment.

^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^ ^v^

Answer 10

Condescending...yes; confusing...no. It is beautifully put how they want to seem truly charitable and Christian-like, but it only fools themselves, doesn't it?