From sinner to saint, quite a transformation.

That's what I don't like about Christianity.........do whatever and God will forgive you, just like that.

Yes, Tuliptree, of course he was sneering at her background, too.
Whatever he may have done since, I will always think of him as a thoroughly unpleasant man - who I dare say has found effective ways of portraying himself. In a different light.

I'm sure sinners can mend their ways and atone for their sins.

I also believe it's quite a normal reaction to be cynical.

Increasingly, I find myself defending politicians I would never in a thousand years have voted for... that comment about Margaret Thatcher was about as spiteful as spiteful can be. And quite possibly incorrect.

As a Christian I believe that no-one is beyond redemption. Jesus died on the Cross and rose again to pay the price for all sin, past, present and future.
The prerequisite for that forgiveness is genuine repentance and turning ones life over to the Lordship of Christ.
In the Bible the word 'saint' refers to a believer not a degree of goodness
Paul had a genuine conversion on the road to Damascus and lived a transformed life but it took him years to be accepted by the disciples and others because of the atrocities he had committed in his pre-coversion days.
Only God knows the true state of our hearts and I'm so glad it's not my job to try and sort it out.

Yes I believe you can go from sinner, through learning and reflection to remorse, reformed behaviour, apology and recompense.

No one is perfect or a saint.

As I do not live in the UK I have no idea at all about the person spoken of in the original post.

But yes, peoplle can change, if they want to, and if they realise that their former w ay of life has been wrong in any way.

Most of us never make the attempt, believing that we do not need to.

Those who feel the need to change, may be able to do so, if they have the requisite strength of character, and if at least one other person genuinily supports them in their choice and their efforts to change.

Some suceed, others as changing yourself is hard work, do not.

If we look at saints in the religious sense, St Francis of Assisi was the kind of young man no parent could be proud of, but a sudden change of heart occured in him, and he suceeded in transforming himself from what today we would call a jet-setter to a person devoted to living as humbly and cheaply as possible in order to help others.

Igatius of Loyola went from being a soldier who did not concern himself over much with thoughts of God, or his own soul, to become a devout founder of a new order of priests - the Society of Jesus.

Women too, have left a life of wealth and comfort, St. Claire of Assisi being one of them to serve God and her fellow humans in poverty.

So, yes sinners can become saints.

Essexgirl145

That's what I don't like about Christianity.........do whatever and God will forgive you, just like that.

It’s not just like that!

It requires more effort.

Only Tommy Cooper used that phrase.

Saul of Tarsus who repented and became Paul after his enlightenment on the Road to Damascus. I guess anyone can repent and reform if they are genuine. John Profumo turned to goodly works after his release from prison.

Mr Aitken was my MP at the time, and on the rare occasion when our paths crossed, he seemed entitled and arrogant to me.
Years later, after his time in prison, he spoke to a local literary group.
My impression was that the man had not changed in his presentation.
However, he did speak about his experiences as a prison chaplain, so his life certainly is very different, now, and perhaps reflects an inner change.

AuntieE

As I do not live in the UK I have no idea at all about the person spoken of in the original post.

But yes, peoplle can change, if they want to, and if they realise that their former w ay of life has been wrong in any way.

Most of us never make the attempt, believing that we do not need to.

Those who feel the need to change, may be able to do so, if they have the requisite strength of character, and if at least one other person genuinily supports them in their choice and their efforts to change.

Some suceed, others as changing yourself is hard work, do not.

If we look at saints in the religious sense, St Francis of Assisi was the kind of young man no parent could be proud of, but a sudden change of heart occured in him, and he suceeded in transforming himself from what today we would call a jet-setter to a person devoted to living as humbly and cheaply as possible in order to help others.

Igatius of Loyola went from being a soldier who did not concern himself over much with thoughts of God, or his own soul, to become a devout founder of a new order of priests - the Society of Jesus.

Women too, have left a life of wealth and comfort, St. Claire of Assisi being one of them to serve God and her fellow humans in poverty.

So, yes sinners can become saints.

Yes Ignatius Loyola was a vain, womanising soldier.

A serious injury led to his incarceration, it took a lot of surgery and many months to recover.

During this period he found Christ.

It’s interesting how adversity and time often lead us to God.

He believed to be a true soldier of God you should have no vanity.

He left a great legacy to this world, one that so many millions of people have benefited from through the Jesuits.

Perhaps Aitken was inspired by this story.