Scrupulocity

[Annie12]

How does one determine if they have a scrupulous conscience?

[Anastasia13]

If you are so focussed on your shortcomings that you find it difficult to trust God's grace, there is something wrong.

[PhuturePriest]

I thought I was scrupulous. I had all of the elements: an irrational fear of committing a mortal sin, and thinking the most mundane, everyday things were mortal sins (Think along the lines of going to the bathroom, playing guitar, swallowing your spit, and listening to The Priests, because they sing in different languages and I couldn't be sure those songs weren't Satanic because of it). However, I actually had this specific type of scrupulosity. There are two types (Which both have technical terms I've forgotten): one that is the result of a mental disorder, and one that simply comes from lack of knowledge. I had the one that came from lack of knowledge. One famous case of a person having this type is Saint Therese of Lisieux. How do you discern between the two? The one about lack of knowledge goes away, and the mental one doesn't. I was only scrupulous for about three months until I finally stopped having issues with thinking everything was a mortal sin. I stopped thinking that because I would ask, and I learned how to figure out if something was a mortal sin or not, thus ending my scrupulosity. However, a person who has a mental disorder will still fear that things are a mortal sin even after they've been told that they aren't.

 

So, if you have an irrational fear of things being mortal sins, struggle with the idea that God could ever forgive you, start prayers from the beginning over and over to the point of excess because you don't think you're properly focusing on the words, or one day ever have the thought "Is peeing a mortal sin?", you unfortunately have scrupulosity. If you still fear that those things are mortal sins even after people have told you they aren't, you most likely have a mental disorder and should see a doctor. If not, read up some Catechism quotes and quotes from the Saints about scrupulosity, and you'll be good to go soon enough.

 

I thought I was scrupulous. I had all of the elements: an irrational fear of committing a mortal sin, and thinking the most mundane, everyday things were mortal sins (Think along the lines of going to the bathroom, playing guitar, swallowing your spit, and listening to The Priests, because they sing in different languages and I couldn't be sure those songs weren't Satanic because of it). However, I actually had this specific type of scrupulosity. There are two types (Which both have technical terms I've forgotten): one that is the result of a mental disorder, and one that simply comes from lack of knowledge. I had the one that came from lack of knowledge. One famous case of a person having this type is Saint Therese of Lisieux. How do you figure out which one you have? The one about lack of knowledge goes away, and the mental one doesn't. I was only scrupulous for about three months until I finally stopped having issues with thinking everything was a mortal sin. I stopped thinking that because I would ask, and I learned how to figure out if something was a mortal sin or not, thus ending my scrupulosity. However, a person who has a mental disorder will still fear that things are a mortal sin even after they've been told that they aren't.

 

So, if you have an irrational fear of things being mortal sins, struggle with the idea that God could ever forgive you, start prayers from the beginning over and over to the point of excess because you don't think you're properly focusing on the words, or one day ever have the thought "Is peeing a mortal sin?", you unfortunately have scrupulosity. If you still fear that those things are mortal sins even after people have told you they aren't, you most likely have a mental disorder and should see a doctor. If not, read up some Catechism quotes and quotes from the Saints about scrupulosity, and you'll be good to go soon enough.

Edited March 3, 2014 by FuturePriest387

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

I think sometimes it is categorised as 'obsessive compulsive.' One will obsess over sin and forget to add Gods forgiveness in the mix and the lack of recognition that one is just a human, without of course making that an excuse for sinning and testing Gods mercy. Another example of such obsession is the 4 last things " Death, judgement, hell and heaven " and focusing to much on the whole hell thing and forgetting the hope of heaven, that we all have to die (unless Jesus comes back in our life time) and that Gods judgement is just and that that rod is only ever used to lead us into Gods mercy(heaven) if it doesn't lead you there it isn't Gods rod it is the enemies. :) Hope something in all that helps you. Take what you will and add a twist of your own understanding of Gods will for your life.

 

God bless you.

 

God is GOOD.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Tab'le De'Bah-Rye

[Tab'le De'Bah-Rye]

I guess one is to recognise that satan crucified Jesus and he also attempts to crucify us, whether we be black sheep, grey sheep or white sheep, we need to hope in heaven even when the enemy and or it's demon cronies are present, and only Jesus can get us into heaven, usually that hope with faith and charity is enough to make us holy, eventually, in Gods time not our own. I let scruples into my mind when i forget it is Gods time not my own than pride in the form of shadow or ego creeps in. Ego says i'm worthy of this and that 'give it to me now' and than there is the shadow which tells me i'm totally not worthy and i deserve no love. Something like that anyway, and again this is my personal experience and i'm no expert on these things.

Edited March 3, 2014 by Tab'le De'Bah-Rye

[PhuturePriest]

What in God's name happened to my post? I replied to Annie's post, but now it says I somehow replied to my own post that didn't exist yet. Furthermore, there are links in there that were not there originally.

[Annie12]

It okay Future Priest, I liked what you posted! It helped! Thanks!