What are scruples?

[denitaA]

I ask this here because you don’t hear much about this in the modern Church. Exactly what are scruples and how do you know you have them as opposed to sin?
I hesitate to ask the apologist because my question may not get an answer.

 

[IneedGod]

From the online dictionary:

Scruple 1. (often plural) a doubt or hesitation as to what is morally right in a certain situation.

 

[april32010]

the cause of a significant amount of posts on CAF. :yup:

 

[SonCatcher]

IneedGod gave the dictionary definition, which may be adequate.

Within this forum, scruples generally mean excessive worry about sin. Basically, we want a healthy aversion to sin: enough to cause us to not sin in the first place or to cause remorse whenever we do sin and to push us back to Confession whenever there is the need.

However, some people obsess over real and perceived sin. In extreme situations, they might avoid Confession, thinking there is no forgiveness for them. Alternately, they might echo Lady MacBeth’s cry, “Out, damned spot!” by confessing frequently even when they have no sin to confess.

 

[Joe_5859]

When in doubt, consult the Old Catholic Encyclopedia:

Scruple

The first line gives a nice succinct definition: “An unfounded apprehension and consequently unwarranted fear that something is a sin which, as a matter of fact, is not.”

If a person suspects they might suffer from scrupulosity, they should discuss it with a priest and receive regular spiritual direction.

 

[HelenRose]

What is the difference between scruples and the desire of someone who is striving for perfection in every aspect of their lives?

 

[SonCatcher]

What is the difference between scruples and the desire of someone who is striving for perfection in every aspect of their lives?

The former is frequently a result of a mental disorder.

The latter is an choice that sets up for grave disappointment when one fails.

 

[thistle]

I ask this here because you don’t hear much about this in the modern Church. Exactly what are scruples and how do you know you have them as opposed to sin?
I hesitate to ask the apologist because my question may not get an answer.

Modern Catholic Dictionary:

SCRUPLE. Unreasonable doubt about the morality of an act done or to be done. Its basis is an erroneous conscience combined with a lack of control of the emotion of fear. (Etym. Latin scrupulous, small, sharp stone, small weight, scruple, from scrupus, rough stone.)

SCRUPULOSITY. The habit of imagining sin where none exists, or grave sin where the matter is venial. To overcome scrupulosity, a person needs to be properly instructed in order to form a right conscience, and in extreme cases the only remedy is absolute obedience (for a time) to a prudent confessor.