I understand and agree with a lot of what you're saying (and a lot of what Dan said).

We must all exercise humility, patience, and wisdom -- and steer clear of self-righteousness and knee-jerk judgment.

The problem with all this -- with Dan's article, your points, this whole discussion (my points possibly included) -- is the following...

Give me the OBJECTIVE basis upon which you, Dan, and others condemn "Hate the sin, love the sinner."

You can't.

I can show you, from Scripture, that we are supposed to love people AND hate sin. It's EXPLICIT. To argue otherwise is to defy both language and logic.

I understand that the WORDING of "Hate the sin, love the sinner" can lead to sanctimonious pride on the part of SOME. I get that. And I also understand that the saying has been used so often that it's become a vain cliche ("vain repetitition" as Jesus might say), and we should probably revise it.

But to assume that everyone who uses that statement is (insert whatever negative adjective) is going too far.

And to assume that every time it is used, it masks or justifies some (insert whatever sin) is likewise going too far.

You're right that it's tough for us to sometimes understand what constitutes "sin" or "evil," and that Christians often disagree on what actions, beliefs, etc. fall into those categories. But the failure to reach a universal consensus on what goes into those categories doesn't negate the fact that those categories exist.

All the best!