Friday, July 14, 2006

A Quick Question.

    Hi all and sundry.  I'm just about to scamper out the door this morning on my way to a doctor's appointment, and an odd sort of question has been flopping around, banging off the insides of my skull, and generally causing a ruckus.

    I've been getting a lot of email lately from some pretty upset religious folks, and through our dicussions, I've seen the following phrase bandied about:

    "We love the sinner but hate the sin."

    Now, I'm just wondering if anyone would like to take a stab at explaining this seemingly contradictory phrase to me?  What are your thoughts? 

-DP

16 comments:

  1. My email went ghetto again, so you are lucky I just stopped in here and found this entry.

    While I was "raised" Catholic I don't consider myself the religious type AT ALL (if you can't tell by what I post about 95% of the time) . . . so I am sorry to inform you that I am not going to be able to help you solve that bangin' and clangin' in your head cus I haven't got a clue.

    Tootles,

    Amanda :)
    http://journals.aol.com/trickeytricky/CountryMyKindaLivin

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  2. I think it's people way of saying what they think GOD would say. In reality, in truth, I don't think GOD would say  that. I think He is smarter then that.

    Besides, if you truly hated something. Then you wouldn't do it. Right?

    Brenda

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  3. Does it come down to not judging others for sins of their past?  I don't know.  Me thinks I should've spent more time in Sunday school paying attention and less time coloring Jesus in with funky, more eye-pleasing purple hair...

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  4. Something to the effect of "smile! you are on God's refrigerator". My guess is kind of like that phrase, "i love you, but I don't like you right now..."

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  5. Are you putting us on?  I think you know very well what it means.  It is quite possible to love someone but hate a particular behavior. If my son lies to me, I hate the lying, but I go right on loving him.

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  6. Absolutely correct elleme2. You should never tell a child that THEY are bad, only that their behavior is bad. Same concept.

    Stephanie

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  7. I think Paul was supposed to get those e-mails.

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  8. "Love the sinner but Hate the sin." Pompous crap. To those who are loving me and hating my behavior, I say: Go ahead and hate me. Hate me like a big dog because I do not want you walking around phoney-ass-loving-me just because it makes YOU feel good. That Malleus Maleficarum was just filled with LOOOOOVE, now wasn't it? I'd rather not be Loved To Death, thanks anyway.

    And I must be missing something here, Dan, because I cannot see why the "religious" folk would be upset with you. You're such a kind thoughtful person. Oh I see...THOUGHT-full.

    Love ya..and yer sins, too,
    Cin

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  9. Yeah, it's only a justification that allows them to be judgemental without guilt.
    -Paul
    http://journals.aol.ca/plittle/AuroraWalkingVacation/
    P.S. Tee, surprisingly, I get little to none of that kind of e-mail.

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  10. I agree.  I can see how that comment can, at first, seem somewhat benign, but when you look at it, it's more of a backhanded form of passing judgment, and all it really demonstrates is arrogance and self-righteousness.  

    -Dan

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  11. Dan, if that picture is supposed to be God, could you get a new one witha less creepy looking God?

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  12. Hmmm.....a man who can still scamper..........

    http://journals.aol.com/ladeeoftheworld/PossumsPrepareforBattle

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  13. I think they are probably lying.  Even though they are saying those things, deep down they really do hate people who do not agree with their view on life.  

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  14. I think you answered your own question on Independence Day.

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  15. uh, HUH? Suffice it to say, we love ya Dan.
    Barb  

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  16. Sort of like "don't hate the player, hate the game," but not really.

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