Final answer:
The church initially banned drama in the medieval period due to moral concerns and a perceived threat to religious authority. However, the popularity and potential for moral instruction eventually led to the church allowing drama.
Step-by-step explanation:
The church initially banned drama in the medieval period due to various reasons. Drama was considered immoral and distracting from religious teachings, and it was perceived as a threat to religious authority. The church also wanted to control and censor artistic expressions.
However, over time, the church started allowing drama due to its increased popularity and potential for moral instruction. Drama became a way to educate the masses about religious stories and virtues. Additionally, the church used many theatrical elements during religious ceremonies, and this eventually led to the development of liturgical drama, pageant wagon tours, mystery cycles, and morality plays.