Oooooh…I get it. It’s the atheist version of that “Hate the sin, love the sinner” thing. Caughtcha! How progressive!
The difference is that “Love the sinner, hate the sin” is usually referring to homosexuality. In that case, the ‘sin’ is a part of who they are, and something they can’t change. Religion is a belief, that can indeed be changed.
“Your sexuality is inherently sinful and wrong, but it doesn’t change my opinion of you as a person.”
vs
“I hate Christianity, but it doesn’t change my opinion of you as a person.”
People’s religion is often as important to them (if not more so) than their sexuality.
Just because it’s important to them doesn’t mean it’s still not a choice. Especially for those who are adults.
I am an American by birth. I could choose not o identify with the culture, but I’ve come to identify pretty strongly with it. It’s still a strong part of my identity. It fulfills my human needs. Same with my faith. Just because they are not physical characteristics does not mean they are not deeply ingrained, and just because they are not built into my body doesn’t mean one’s prejudice against my religion or nationality isn’t bigotry.