"In early centuries, being a 'gladiator' prohibited a person from becoming Christian"

What a fascinating historical theory:

An expert in the history of the Catholic Church, Domingo Ramos-Lissón, explained in an interview that the preparation of the early Christians for baptism could last up to three years, and that many professions prohibited a person from registering as a catechumen.

"If we follow the path taken by someone who wanted to become a Christian in the fourth century, initially we will see a thorough examination of his life, family conditions and aspiring profession," Ramos-Lissón said in an interview with the website PrimerosCristianos.com (First Christians).

In that regard, he explained, "some family situations, such as polygamy and concubinage, or professions, such as theatrical actor, magician, guardian of idols, gladiator and other offices, prevented that person from being considered a catechumen. However, once they changed their lifestyle, they were given the chance to be baptized. (CNA)

I remember in my undergraduate years attending a fascinating lecture on the early Christian sermons (particularly of Ambrose and Augustine) against the gladiatorial games.

The professor made the argument that these prohibitions against Christian participation in such events actually made it into the (old) rite of baptism with the question "do you reject Satan, and all his pomps, and all his empty promises?"

Well, the "pomps of Satan" included such things as the public, gruesome spectacle presented by the pagan gladiatorial games!

I personally think modern entertainment such as "ultimate fighting" or similarly brutal cage matches would fit the same bill. Think about that the next time you are TV surfing.