How many times have gays and lesbians heard this in response to requests for being treated equally and with dignity? Do the Christians saying this understand how totally offensive and bigoted this statement is? I consider this statement as veiled homophobia. Gays, lesbians and bisexuals do not choose to be attracted to the same sex, it is their nature or put in more religious terms, it is how God made them. It is as much a part of their being as their arm or leg. It is innately who they are and consequently, when you "hate the sin" (aka homosexuality), you are basically hating the person.
I don't think all the Christians who say this realize how hurtful and offensive it is. I have even seen it in comments in DKos diaries and I think the commenter believed that they were being open-minded on the issue by making this statement.
I realize some people may have trouble seeing how this comment is offensive, I mean "love the sinner" right? How would a black person feel being told that "I love you, I just hate your black skin"? How would a Jewish person feel being told, "I love you, I just hate that you are a Jew"?
Why is same sex attraction a sin anyway? Is it because some religious group interpreted some old writings to their liking? The way most religious groups and their leaders act towards homosexuality you would think that it was a very large part of the teaching of the Bible. It isn't. In fact, there is much more about the perils of being wealthy and not sharing than any concerns about who is sleeping with who. How is it that the largest religious institutions are extremely wealthy and that most of the famous preachers and pastors live a life of luxury? I think we all know the answer to that one.
The religious argument is really the last one that the bigots and homophobes can still hang their hats on without major public scorn and derision. It will only be once the majority of society has moved past this issue that most churches will change their teachings like they did on slavery and most woman's rights issues. Unfortunately, until then, they will continue to indoctrinate those under their spell with tales of horror about teh gays and how they need to be loved as people but scorned for their sins. I must admit, it is a very clever way to allow your flock to feel good about themselves for hating homosexuals.
I urge all the Christians in DKos-land to think twice next time before using this worn-out, hurtful saying.