The concept of atonement

[UniversesBoss]

No. Not unless they start saving lives.

[Objectivist]

If someone does something really bad, illegal according to the law bad, is there anything that individual can do to atone for his crime? Is there anything the individual can say or do to alter your perception of him being a bad person? Let us delve slightly further with a related question: does one mistake have to stick with the individual in your mind where you will always consider him a bad person?

(Upon reflection, this is probably better suited for a philosophy thread. A mod can move it if s/he deems it necessary.)

Depends if it is an error of knowledge or a breach of morality.  I'm willing to forgive errors of knowledge provided the person is willing to make amends as best he can.  Knowingly doing something one knows to be bad is another story.  I'm not willing to forgive them in that case.  It's always interesting to me to note that the god of the bible is always willing to forgive breaches of morality but not errors of knowledge.  Rape, murder, steal, lie, cheat and you can get forgiveness, but don't believe in it and it's eternal torture in hell and for some strange reason, the forgiveness is withdrawn after you die and can have direct evidence that god exists.  Then it's too late.