Do they think they're being lax if they let themselves stay at home when sick?
Why yes. That's almost the very definition of scrupulosity, this constant fear of being lax or even just less than 100% perfect. And, as you noted, it's tied to pride; they are not satisfied if they don't live up to their own idea of perfection. It also speaks to a distorted view of God, where they see God as waiting to pounce out from behind any bush to zap them if they are not on their guard and being perfect at all times. I struggled for some years with scrupulosity, so I know whereof I speak. I was almost instantly cured of it by my confessor at the seminary. He commanded me under obedience never to confess a sin as mortal unless I could basically swear to him before God that it was a mortal sin. He told me that if I were wrong about it, then it would be on him, and that God would not judge me for it. So I obeyed ... and was immediately at peace and cured. Now, some people are SO scrupulous that they would just write off the confessor as wrong and assert that they know better.
Topic: Going to Mass Even When Sick (Read 3014 times)