Atonement

Atonement, atoning, or making amends is the concept of a person taking action to correct previous wrongdoing on their part, either through direct action to undo the consequences of that act, equivalent action to do good for others, or some other expression of feelings of remorse. Atonement "is closely associated to forgiveness, reconciliation, sorrow, remorse, repentance, reparation, and guilt".^[1] It can be seen as a necessary step on a path to redemption.^[2] Expiation is the related concept of removing guilt, particularly the undoing of sin or other transgressions in religious contexts.

^ Ruth Williams, "Atonement", in David A. Leeming, Kathryn Madden, Stanton Marlan, Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion: L-Z (2009), p. 83.
^ Linda Radzik, Making Amends: Atonement in Morality, Law, and Politics (2009).

[Williams-1] Ruth Williams, "Atonement", in David A. Leeming, Kathryn Madden, Stanton Marlan, Encyclopedia of Psychology and Religion: L-Z (2009), p. 83.

[Radzik-2] Linda Radzik, Making Amends: Atonement in Morality, Law, and Politics (2009).

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