#1154 - Debating Confession with Gavin Ortlund and Ruslan

In this episode Trent shares highlights from his recent Whatever Podcast debate on sex, p*rn, and feminism with OF Creator Farha.

Can atheism really be reduced to “I’m not convinced”? In this episode, Trent Horn joins Matt Fradd to respond to some of the most popular atheist clips online, including arguments from Ricky Gervais, Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, Matt Dillahunty, and Alex O’Connor. They tackle bad definitions of atheism, burden-shifting, the “one less god” objection, fine-tuning, divine hiddenness, and the problem of evil from a Catholic perspective. Whether you’re wrestling with belief yourself or want better answers to common atheist objections, this conversation is packed with sharp arguments, clear distinctions, and practical ways to think through the debate.

Did the early Church really believe confession was made directly to God alone—or is there biblical and historical evidence for confession through the Church’s ministers? In this episode, Trent responds to objections raised in his exchange with Ruslan and Gavin Ortlund and unpacks the Catholic case for sacramental confession.

In this conversation, Trent Horn and Kade Bradley go head-to-head on some of the hardest questions in modern sexual ethics: whether morality is grounded in natural law or human flourishing, whether affirmation actually improves outcomes, and whether data alone can settle moral debates. They also clash over same-sex relationships, public norms, schools, DSM history, transgender questions, and the limits of harm-based reasoning.

When can Catholics rightly criticize the Pope — and when does that cross a line? In this clip from The Ben Shapiro Show, Ben Shapiro and Trent Horn discuss papal infallibility, prudential judgments, and the difference between disagreeing respectfully and dismissing the Holy Father outright. They also get into media bias, selective outrage from both left and right, Pope Francis, Pope Leo, and how Catholics should think about papal comments on politics, war, and public policy.

In this episode Trent uses 3 longstanding "Rules of the Internet" to analyze the Trump vs. Pope Leo Fued. To support this channel: https://www.patreon.com/counseloftrent [NEW] Counsel of Trent merch: https://shop.catholic.com/apologists-alley/trent-horn-resources/ Be sure to keep up with our socials! https://www.tiktok.com/@counseloftrent https://www.twitter.com/counseloftrent https://www.instagram.com/counseloftrentpodcast

In this episode, Trent breaks down Louis Theroux’s Netflix documentary on the manosphere and exposes the uncomfortable truth behind red-pill influencers and OnlyFans culture: both sell fantasies to vulnerable young men. Whether it is promises of wealth, status, sex, or intimacy, these industries prey on dissatisfaction and turn despair into profit. To support this channel: https://www.patreon.com/counseloftrent [NEW] Counsel of Trent merch: https://shop.catholic.com/apologists-alley/trent-horn-resources/ Be sure to keep up with our socials! https://www.tiktok.com/@counseloftrent https://www.twitter.com/counseloftrent https://www.instagram.com/counseloftrentpodcast

Is Catholicism a cult? That accusation falls apart fast. In this episode, Trent Horn shows why the word cult is often used in a sloppy, self-defeating way, and why many anti-Catholic arguments about obedience, canon law, and Church authority collapse under closer examination. To support this channel: https://www.patreon.com/counseloftrent [NEW] Counsel of Trent merch: https://shop.catholic.com/apologists-alley/trent-horn-resources/ Be sure to keep up with our socials! https://www.tiktok.com/@counseloftrent https://www.twitter.com/counseloftrent https://www.instagram.com/counseloftrentpodcast

The Counsel of Trent is going back to it's roots and becoming The Council of Trent podcast! Happy April 1st! To support this channel: https://www.patreon.com/counseloftrent [NEW] Counsel of Trent merch: https://shop.catholic.com/apologists-alley/trent-horn-resources/ Be sure to keep up with our socials! https://www.tiktok.com/@counseloftrent https://www.twitter.com/counseloftrent https://www.instagram.com/counseloftrentpodcast

In this episode Trent refutes a common new age belief with tragic consequences. To support this channel: https://www.patreon.com/counseloftrent [NEW] Counsel of Trent merch: https://shop.catholic.com/apologists-alley/trent-horn-resources/ Be sure to keep up with our socials! https://www.tiktok.com/@counseloftrent https://www.twitter.com/counseloftrent https://www.instagram.com/counseloftrentpodcast