When Faith Turns Neurotic

Common Obsessions

According to Foss, some common obsessions in scrupulosity include:

• Repetitive thoughts about having committed a sin

• Exaggerated concern with the possibility of having committed blasphemy

• Excessive fear of having offended God

• Inordinate focus on religious, moral, and/or ethical perfection

• Excessive fear of failing to show proper devotion to God

• Repeated fears of going to hell / eternal damnation

• Concern that one’s behaviors will doom a loved one to hell

• Unwanted sexual thoughts about God, Jesus, or a religious figure such as a priest

• Unwanted mental images such as Satan, 666, hell, sex with Christ, etc.

• Excessive fear of having acted counter to one’s personal morals, values, or ethics