As for the "phenonomenon": I don't know, all I can say is that when I first saw eps 1 and 2 I tried to keep an open mind, I wanted to like them but I just couldn't. They are bad movies(imho). As for why OOT lovers hate the PT(and remember critics panned ep 1 and 2 as well), most OOT lovers were childen when OOT came out. This means that most are 30 or older. The PT (imho) panders to the younger generations(Jar Jar, fart jokes, CGI). So it should not really be a surprise that OOT lovers would not like the PT as much as the younger generations.
Another reason: maybe OOT lovers have good taste and can detect bad movies when they see them. And maybe their judgment is no longer clouded by a worship of Lucas.
Care to explain another "phenonomenon"? Why do most SE lovers love the PT? It works both ways.
The OOT films are not just a bunch of "fun action flicks" they are so much more. If you grew up with the OOT, you'd know that. And eps 1 and 2 are so much less than "a couple of fun action flicks".
one last thing: Star Wars should not be defiled by the likes of Jar Jar.