Before the Renaissance, during the Middle Ages, people relied solely on the Catholic church for their information about the world. They based their facts on the Bible and what religious figures told them. During the Renaissance, a more secular way of thinking developed. As the printing press grew, more people became literate and were able to interpret the Bible for themselves. This led to the creation of new religions and theories about science. People began to challenge the old social order and authorities and began to question the morals and motives of the seemingly corrupt Catholic church.
