During the Renaissance, sport still suffered religious disapproval. The Protestant Reformation during the fifteenth through eighteenth centuries represented the challenge of a growing middle class to the Cathelic Church. This period also saw attempts interest in sport. Subsequently Protestant schools taught reading, writing, and religion while discouraging any form of sport or public amusement, The only valid form of sport activity to receive consideration was gymnastics because it was a way to preserve health and divert people from gambling, reveling, and intemperance.