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catholicrobot
Guest
So ive been suffering from Scrupulosity for awhile now, and i was wondering. How does one catch it? Where does it come from?
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Bookcat
Guest
Having responded to a number of persons with various degrees of scruples over time – I will note the following:
One must distinguish between a scrupulous conscience (though in a way it is more “a conscience affected by scruples”) and a delicate conscience.
A ‘delicate conscience’ sees the finer distinctions and seeks very much to avoid even very small sins …and …who can judge normally between mortal and venial sin…when in doubt is able to make judgments overcoming his doubt by prudence or abide by good advice etc
As for scruples…or scrupulosity
A person who struggles with such take venial sin to be mortal…or non-sins to be sins…or are plagued by doubts…seeking an unreasonable kind of certainty…confesses all sorts of unneeded details…experiences unreasonable fears/anxieties about sins…seeing them or fearing them where they need not…is often worried about past confessions etc…often involving “what-if-ing” in an excessive way.
Scruples can come in many and varied forms and degrees.
The French call it the doubting disease (though it is not a disease) for one has lot of problems knowing one knows…thus with doubt (or more often “apparent doubt”).
Of course there are degrees and it is possible for a person to have generally a delicate conscience or a normal conscience and still have a struggle with scruples in certain areas…or have very transient scruples such at the time of their conversion …or deeper conversion etc.
And a person may go from one to the other…
One combats scruples with a good regular confessor…(via a kind of obedience in all but of course manifest sin – so if the confessor says murder his secretary or use contraception --well then one needs a new confessor!)
by forming ones conscience…(with such as the Catechism etc)
The confessor may give them some general principles for the person to follow in their case.
Contra scruplos agendum est, et fixo operis pede certandum
That is: Act contrary to scruples and with a firm foot overcome them. (with the assistance of the confessor/spiritual director). Overcoming ones scruples…ones fears… with a “firm foot”.
by prayer
Thinking more on the love of God and true life in Christ…
etc
One must distinguish between a scrupulous conscience (though in a way it is more “a conscience affected by scruples”) and a delicate conscience.
A ‘delicate conscience’ sees the finer distinctions and seeks very much to avoid even very small sins …and …who can judge normally between mortal and venial sin…when in doubt is able to make judgments overcoming his doubt by prudence or abide by good advice etc
As for scruples…or scrupulosity
A person who struggles with such take venial sin to be mortal…or non-sins to be sins…or are plagued by doubts…seeking an unreasonable kind of certainty…confesses all sorts of unneeded details…experiences unreasonable fears/anxieties about sins…seeing them or fearing them where they need not…is often worried about past confessions etc…often involving “what-if-ing” in an excessive way.
Scruples can come in many and varied forms and degrees.
The French call it the doubting disease (though it is not a disease) for one has lot of problems knowing one knows…thus with doubt (or more often “apparent doubt”).
Of course there are degrees and it is possible for a person to have generally a delicate conscience or a normal conscience and still have a struggle with scruples in certain areas…or have very transient scruples such at the time of their conversion …or deeper conversion etc.
And a person may go from one to the other…
One combats scruples with a good regular confessor…(via a kind of obedience in all but of course manifest sin – so if the confessor says murder his secretary or use contraception --well then one needs a new confessor!)
by forming ones conscience…(with such as the Catechism etc)
The confessor may give them some general principles for the person to follow in their case.
Contra scruplos agendum est, et fixo operis pede certandum
That is: Act contrary to scruples and with a firm foot overcome them. (with the assistance of the confessor/spiritual director). Overcoming ones scruples…ones fears… with a “firm foot”.
by prayer
Thinking more on the love of God and true life in Christ…
etc
B
Bookcat
Guest
Having responded to a number of persons with various degrees of scruples over time – I will note the following:
One must distinguish between a scrupulous conscience (though in a way it is more “a conscience affected by scruples”) and a delicate conscience.
A ‘delicate conscience’ sees the finer distinctions and seeks very much to avoid even very small sins …and …who can judge normally between mortal and venial sin…when in doubt is able to make judgments overcoming his doubt by prudence or abide by good advice etc
As for scruples…or scrupulosity
A person who struggles with such will often take venial sin to be mortal…or non-sins to be sins…or are plagued by doubts…they may seek an unreasonable kind of certainty…they might seek to confess all sorts of unneeded details…etc
Scruples can come in many and varied forms and degrees.
The French call it the doubting disease (though it is not a disease) for one has lot of problems knowing one knows…thus with doubt (or more often “apparent doubt”).
Of course there are degrees and it is possible for a person to have generally a delicate conscience or a normal conscience and still have a struggle with scruples in certain areas…or even to have very transient scruples* such at the time of their conversion* …or deeper conversion etc.
And a person may go from one to the other…
One combats scruples with a regular confessor…(via a kind of obedience in that which is not manifest sin – so if the confessor says murder his secretary or use contraception --well then one needs a new confessor!). One to know ones difficulties and thus be able to direct one.
The confessor may give them some general principles for the person to follow in their case.
Prayer of course…and the Sacraments…
A classic quote:
Contra scruplos agendum est, et fixo operis pede certandum
That is: Act contrary to scruples and with a firm foot overcome them. That is with the direction of the confessor – to firmly stand against them. Overcoming ones scruples…ones fears… with a “firm foot”. (for example a person fears that doing Y is a sin – the confessor tells them – no it is not – go do Y --one acts upon that direction and does Y.)
In a way one needs be “scrupulous” about attending to ones scruples…
Simplicity
by prayer
Intercession of Our Lady and the Saints
Acts of Faith, Hope and Love
Thinking more on the love of God and true life in Christ…living in the reality of the joy (even when not something felt) of being a Christian…
…keeping in mind that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who loves you
One must distinguish between a scrupulous conscience (though in a way it is more “a conscience affected by scruples”) and a delicate conscience.
A ‘delicate conscience’ sees the finer distinctions and seeks very much to avoid even very small sins …and …who can judge normally between mortal and venial sin…when in doubt is able to make judgments overcoming his doubt by prudence or abide by good advice etc
As for scruples…or scrupulosity
A person who struggles with such will often take venial sin to be mortal…or non-sins to be sins…or are plagued by doubts…they may seek an unreasonable kind of certainty…they might seek to confess all sorts of unneeded details…etc
Scruples can come in many and varied forms and degrees.
The French call it the doubting disease (though it is not a disease) for one has lot of problems knowing one knows…thus with doubt (or more often “apparent doubt”).
Of course there are degrees and it is possible for a person to have generally a delicate conscience or a normal conscience and still have a struggle with scruples in certain areas…or even to have very transient scruples* such at the time of their conversion* …or deeper conversion etc.
And a person may go from one to the other…
One combats scruples with a regular confessor…(via a kind of obedience in that which is not manifest sin – so if the confessor says murder his secretary or use contraception --well then one needs a new confessor!). One to know ones difficulties and thus be able to direct one.
The confessor may give them some general principles for the person to follow in their case.
Prayer of course…and the Sacraments…
A classic quote:
Contra scruplos agendum est, et fixo operis pede certandum
That is: Act contrary to scruples and with a firm foot overcome them. That is with the direction of the confessor – to firmly stand against them. Overcoming ones scruples…ones fears… with a “firm foot”. (for example a person fears that doing Y is a sin – the confessor tells them – no it is not – go do Y --one acts upon that direction and does Y.)
In a way one needs be “scrupulous” about attending to ones scruples…
Simplicity
by prayer
Intercession of Our Lady and the Saints
Acts of Faith, Hope and Love
Thinking more on the love of God and true life in Christ…living in the reality of the joy (even when not something felt) of being a Christian…
…keeping in mind that Jesus is the Good Shepherd who loves you
C
Cat_Herder
Guest
It can have any number of causes (medical, psychological, etc.), but it is NOT spiritual warfare, it’s NOT the devil, it’s NOT anything worth worrying about.
Here, this ought to help.
po18guy
Well-known member
I believe it reflects doubt. Doubt in oneself. Doubt in the Sacraments. Doubt as to forgiveness. Doubt even in God. Doubt comes from the evil one. It s a form of spiritual attack. “Resist the devil and he will flee from you” (James 4:7) If you have not seen this, here are ten commandments for avoiding/combatting scruples: fathersofmercy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Ten-Commandments-to-Guard-Against-Scrupulosity.pdf
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Auntie_A
Guest
Having normal scruples in this age is so shocking that people think you are sick if you reflect upon matters of right and wrong. The belief is that there is no right and wrong so any discussion in that area is perceived as pathological.
But the way I understand the problem with excess or destructive scrupulosity is that it is a part of the anxiety disorder spectrum. It is like a repetition of the brain that goes into overdrive. It is a physical problem that can affect the mind and behavior. Many people observe someone with a scrupulosity problem and they attribute the behavior to a person’s personality but it is a chemical imbalance. Where it becomes a problem is when someone does not recognize it as an illness and takes their thoughts too seriously. They start believing that because they can pick up on details that they are now the conscience police. Prayer, inspiration, discernment and humility go out the window.
What the devil has to do with this kind of scrupulosity is the same as what the devil has to do with any of us: he takes a weakness and creates chaos around it.
But the way I understand the problem with excess or destructive scrupulosity is that it is a part of the anxiety disorder spectrum. It is like a repetition of the brain that goes into overdrive. It is a physical problem that can affect the mind and behavior. Many people observe someone with a scrupulosity problem and they attribute the behavior to a person’s personality but it is a chemical imbalance. Where it becomes a problem is when someone does not recognize it as an illness and takes their thoughts too seriously. They start believing that because they can pick up on details that they are now the conscience police. Prayer, inspiration, discernment and humility go out the window.
What the devil has to do with this kind of scrupulosity is the same as what the devil has to do with any of us: he takes a weakness and creates chaos around it.
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ProdigalSon1211
Guest
Try reading a book called “Scruples and Sainthood” by Trent Beattie. Scrupulosity may come from OCD.
shop.catholic.com/scruples-and-sainthood-accepting-and-overcoming-scruples-with-the-help-of-the-saints.html
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catholicrobot
Guest
Thanks everyone! Hmm interesting. Never would have thought my ocd could affect my spiritual life
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Bookcat
Guest
Yes while scruples per se do not necessarily mean OCD - those with such can readily experience such.
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