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Saints and Skeptics

Saints and Skeptics

By: Michael Ryan
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About this listen

 What if doubt isn’t the enemy of faith, but the doorway to deeper understanding? Saints and Skeptics takes you beyond surface-level answers into thoughtful conversations at the crossroads of Catholicism, history, philosophy, and real-world skepticism. Whether you believe, question, or wrestle with both, this is the podcast that isn’t afraid to tackle what others avoid.Copyright Michael Ryan Spirituality
Episodes
  • Who is Mary and do Catholics worship her?

    Who is Mary and do Catholics worship her?
    Jun 4 2025
    In this episode of Saints and Skeptics we ask "Why do I always see so many statues or icons of Mary at Catholic churches or in Catholic media? I thought the first commandment said “You shall not have other gods beside me”? Don't Catholics worship her and treat her like god?"

    Lets find out!



    Citations from this episode:

    • Council of Ephesus (A.D. 431) https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/3810.htm
    • Sermon 186 - St. Augustine
    • Ineffabilis Deus - Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius IX on the Immaculate Conception (December 8, 1854)
    • POPE PIUS XII - MUNIFICENTISSIMUS DEUS
    • CCC 2096
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    29 mins
  • What is the sign of the cross, and why do Catholics make it so often?

    What is the sign of the cross, and why do Catholics make it so often?
    May 27 2025
    In this episode of Saints and Skeptics we ask "What is the sign of the cross and why do I often see Catholics making it? What significance does it hold? Isn't making the sign of the cross kind of more of a cultural thing with no real purpose anyway?"

    Lets find out!



    Citations from this episode:
    • CCC 2157
    • Tertullian, De Corona, Chapter 3.
    • St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, 13:36.
    • Ezekiel 9:4-5
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    19 mins
  • What is Confession and is it really necessary?

    What is Confession and is it really necessary?
    May 19 2025
    In this episode of Saints and Skeptics we ask "Why should I have to confess my sins to someone who is capable of sinning just as much or even more than I am, and more importantly, why do I need an intermediary between myself and God? Cant I just ask him for forgiveness myself?"

    Lets find out!



    Citations from this episode:
    • CCC: 1131
    • The Light of Christ by Thomas Joseph White: Page 187 “The Seven Sacraments”
    • https://www.usccb.org/resources/Bulletin-Insert-Penance-ENG.pdf
    • CCC: 1468
    • Mt 16:19
    • Jn 20:23
    • 2 Cor 5:18
    • St. Basil the Great, Letter 217: LVI
    • CCC 1455
    • The Light of Christ by Thomas Joseph White: Page 192 “The Seven Sacraments”
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    38 mins
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