jan 1, 150 - Tertullian’s De Spectaculis 150-220 CE

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In Tertullian’s De Spectaculis, Tertullian describes how theatre, popular Roman entertainment, gladiatorial combat, and the like is not of God. He explains that since these forms of entertainment have their basis in Pagan god’s (Pagan here being an adjective used to describe uncivilised, polytheistic people who believed in the wrong gods) and any Christian who went to the temples and theatres dedicated to these Pagan gods committed idolatry. He continues by saying that since these places are not places of God, you’re practically inviting demons to possess you. His main ideas from the text is that if you wouldn’t support the ideas and values shown in fights or dramas if you saw them in your real life, then you shouldn’t on stage either.

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