Please explain like I'm 5, what does "cordially hated" mean?

[raccoon]

In the AA big book, there is the sentence, “… They [alcoholic’s children] may cordially hate him for what he has done to them and to their mother.“ (P. 134)

[quaint]

1. If you take the second or third definition, it makes sense.

cordially adverb (strongly)
in a way that is strongly felt, especially with feelings of dislike:
On a personal level, they came to be cordially disliked.
She hated Mr. Jefferson cordially.

[Mike 03]

2. Just a guess

"cordially hate" might mean that a person tries to conceal their hatred behind a veneer of respect. They "go along to get along", extending the bare minimum of cordiality required to keep a relationship intact.

Just a guess.

EDIT: Quaint is probably closer, especially given that that book was written a long time ago.

[Solly Mack]

3. Means the children might "Yes/No Sir" him, strictly

as a perfunctory courtesy, but the dislike, the feelings of hate, and the complete disrespect dance around each word.

Looks polite and deferential on the surface - to outsiders - but scratch it a little and all the resentment comes exploding out.

Families engage in cordial hate all the time - like at family gatherings with simply can't help themselves right-wingers.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

4. The word is derived from a Latin word for heart, cordis.

If you hate someone cordially, you hate them with all your heart.