The first “Age of Enlightenment” start in the 1650’s and ended in the 1780’s.  It challenged the authority of institutions like the Catholic Church to reform society with toleration, science, and skepticism.  New ideas and beliefs spread because of an increase in literacy due to publications of books other than religious text.  Publications included a 35 volume Encyclopedia and Dictionaries.

 

The second “Age of Enlightenment” has already started. Due to rapid advances in science and knowledge along with ways to mass communicate information like the internet and cell phones again the authority of institutions and governments are being challenged.

 

Governments, Religions, and religious leaders have kept us under control by limiting our knowledge of the world. We were told what they said was the truth for hundreds or even thousands of years.  But with advances in science and technology, we are now able to separate the real facts from the fiction.  As new knowledge is gained and religious beliefs proved false, many churches are losing members and restrictive governments are falling.