9th Commandment for the Scrupulous

[Zynxensar]

The 9th Commandment for the scrupulous states:

When you are doubtful, you shall
assume that the act of commission or
omission you’re in doubt about is not
sinful, and you shall proceed without
dread of sin.

But the thing is Fr Santa includes in his commentary of this Commandment:

Alphonsus says the paralyzing experience of rigidity
and anxiety is based on “groundless fear.” The fear and
anxiety are not guilt or remorse felt as a result of an action
or inaction on the part of the penitent. Th e fear and the
anxiety are merely symptoms of scrupulosity.
Th e inability to judge the difference between the reality
of sin and the fear of sin is a symptom of scrupulosity. St.
Alphonsus says that when this happens, both the confessor
and the penitent should presume that the power of
grace is at work in the life of God’s people and not assume
there is sin where no sin has occurred.

So now I’m confused as to whether he means:

a) If you’re not sure whether the act you’re about to perform or omit is sinful, you shall assume it isn’t sinful and do the act anyway while not worrying that you committed a sin

or

b) If you’re contemplating whether a past action you did was sinful, you shall assume it wasn’t and continue without fearing that you sinned

 

[goout]

What if Christ has risen from the dead and defeated your sin?
What if Jesus wants to have a relationship with you?
What if Jesus wants you to stop obsessing about your perfection?

Life is full of confusion. There are no pat answers that eliminate all doubts and confusion. Embrace the uncertainty.
Trust a good priest. Trust Jesus. Do the best you can and cast yourself on his mercy.

 

[Zynxensar]

Perfection isn’t a concern of mine. I have no issues with whether I prayed a certain prayer correctly, confessed certain sins validly, or worries that I would be sinning if I got distracted while praying.

What I am concerned about though is whether I’m interpreting Fr Santa’s 9th Commandment for the Scrupulous correctly. If I’m able to act against scruples eg this doesn’t count as acting against a doubtful conscience (which is wrong) then this would solve many of the problems

 

[goout]

Perfection isn’t a concern of mine.

Yes, it seems that it is, as follows:

I have no issues with whether I prayed a certain prayer correctly, confessed certain sins validly, or worries that I would be sinning if I got distracted while praying.

What I am concerned about though is whether I’m interpreting Fr Santa’s 9th Commandment for the Scrupulous correctly. If I’m able to act against scruples eg this doesn’t count as acting against a doubtful conscience (which is wrong) then this would solve many of the problems

Rather than trusting in the advice of others, such as a good priest, and trusting in God’s mercy, you are trying to perfectly nail down your spiritual disposition.

 

[Canvas]

Please. Fr. Santa would not want you to become scrupulous over publications made to help with the scrupulous! And in the case you are talking about, he is talking about what you are doing now. If you are in doubt, you can assume it is not a sin. (if you have scrupulosity). Do not be paralyzed in fear.

But I believe he also addresses past doubtful actions in another place. You are also supposed to assume that any doubtful past actions are not sins if you are scrupulous and should not be confessed. Essentially, you are not to confess things unless you would swear under oath that you have, without any doubt, sinned.

 

[FiveLinden]

Scruples=OCD. OCD is a mental illness. Mental illness is about chemicals in our brains. It has no spiritual origin or solution. See a psychologist. Take medication if your appropriately qualified physician recommends it. This issue has nothing to do with religious beliefs. Atheists can have the same problem. As can Jews, Muslims and any other isms you can think of. Religion, generally has no solutions. It may be that a simple chemical dispensed by your friendly pharmacist, does.

 

[Zynxensar]

Well, I wouldn’t call it being unable to trust the advice of others. I just have the need to be certain that the person’s advice is correct otherwise I feel that God will hold me responsible “for not finding out more about it”, unless this is what you meant.

I do agree with you on the part of being unable to trust God’s mercy, though. I’m just having a hard time getting around it. I mean, I know God is merciful and will forgive us when we repent, but even if I’m scrupulous I feel like I still have to do my duty as a Catholic and ensure I’m not sinning. I mean, i want to trust in God’s mercy but I don’t want to be presumptuous i.e “oh it’s ok for me to act on a doubtful conscience; I’m scrupulous God will forgive me”

Also I’m not too sure if this extra info is helpful but these are some thoughts I’ve had about God, in the past at least; I still have some of them though:

1. There is an obligation to go to Confession as soon as possible if we’re in the state of mortal sin. If I don’t make the effort to go as soon as possible and if I delay it by a day or so then God wouldn’t protect me if something bad were to happen to me before I can make it for Confession
2. I don’t know whether I’m obliged to do insert unusual action but acting on a doubtful conscience is a sin, so I should do it anyway. I mean, even if the worst occurs from doing this, it’s not worse than committing a sin. (This has been dealt with using the 8th Commandment of the Scrupulous so it’s not bothering me too much anymore) Essentially, what this means is that I’d do something out of the ordinary rather than risk committing a sin.

 

[Zynxensar]

I’m leaning towards this interpretation as well. The part that’s really confusing me though is Fr Santa’s usage of past tenses like “no sin occurred” which makes me confused, like, is he referring to past sins or the present moment???

 

[Zynxensar]

OCD can cause scruples but having scruples doesn’t necessarily mean one has OCD. I mean I would be reassured if I had it (ironically), then I know without a doubt that I am scrupulous. I’m seeing my psychiatrist later today anyway, so I’ll see if he can give an official diagnosis