mobico,
“Anyway, to the best of my knowledge, the term Ahavas Chinam was coined by R� Kook ZT�L”
This is indeed a widespread misconception. It is first found in the talks of earlier chassidishe rebbes.
See talks of the Kozmirer Rebbe (Rav Yechezkel Taub): ??? ?????? ??? ????? ??? ?? ??? ???? ????, ?? ???? ?? ???? ???? ????, ??? ??? ?????? ???? ?? ????? ?????
This was also quoted by his grandson the Modzitzer Rebbe.
This is also quoted in the name of the Ahavas Yisroel of Vizhnitz.
“I did not know that it was used by the Lubavitcher Rebbe.”
Yes, he used the term many times. Another example (in connection with Rosh Chodesh Menachem-Av, yahrtzeit of Aharon Hakohen):
:??? ????? ????? ?????? ???? ??? ????? ??? ????? ????? ?? ????? ???? ??”? ???? ??: ????? ?????? ??? ????? ???? ????? ???? ?? ???? ???. ??????? ??? ????? ?????: ??? ???????? ?? ???? ???? ???? ????? ???? � ???? ???
(????? ????? ??”? ?’ 412)
But anyway, obviously, I agree with you that whatever we call it, the ikar is to actually love every Jew!