The Illuminati was a secret society founded in Bavaria in 1776, attracting politicians and intellectuals. It opposed the power of churches and nobility and may have had up to 2,000 members in Europe. Conspiracy theories suggest the group still exists and has influence over governments, with some believing key historical figures were members. Dan Brown’s novel Angels & Demons depicts a war between the Illuminati and the Catholic Church. There are various perspectives on the group’s benefits in the modern world.
The Illuminati, translated as the people of the light, refers to different groups and the prevailing conspiracy theories about the importance of some of these groups or the continued influence in the modern world. More specifically, they were a radical group in Bavaria founded in 1776, which gave rise to other countries that also form related groups.
The Bavarian Illuminati, as well as its offshoot groups, was a secret society, to which many politicians and intellectuals were attracted. The Society of Freemasons was thought to have close ties to members, and many Freemasons joined the Illuminati. Some Masonic groups felt that they were in religious conflict because many of the other group’s members were atheists.
As far as history can suggest, European Illuminati groups were some of the most advanced thinkers of the time period, reflecting the philosophy of humanism emerging at the time. They opposed the power exercised by the churches and the nobility. The organization, as a secret society, was illegal. During its early years, this secret society may have had as many as 10 branches in Europe and 2,000 members drawn from intellectuals in Europe. According to historical sources, the group fell apart in 1795.
This is when speculation and conspiracy theory come in to help out. Conspiracy theorists claim that the Illuminati still exist today and have tremendous influence over governments. One thing considered “proof” of existence is the presence of the eye on the pyramid of a US dollar bill (USD). And most conspiratorial beliefs about the secret society consider the order to have a large influence on the Freemasons.
Some believe that key members in the early formation of the US government, such as Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin were members of the Illuminati, and that the group continues to influence world government. The company is suggested to have taken an active role in most of the major events in history. Some theorists argue that some presidents and members of the British monarchy are members.
The Illuminati has recently gained some popularity with Dan Brown’s novel Angels & Demons. Brown is most recognizable as the author of The Da Vinci Code. He takes society as a topic of interest, suggesting that all major scientific thinkers since the Age of Reason have been secret members.
Brown depicts a constant war between the Illuminati and the Roman Catholic Church, outlining the conflict between not only atheism and Christianity, but specifically science and religion. His work, which many recognize as advanced conspiracy theories about the group, suggests that the Illuminati is still alive and at constant war with the Vatican. Brown also claims that members of the group have infiltrated every powerful political organization and is largely made up of the worldwide scientific community.
Non-fiction works have backed up Brown’s own claim, that the group still exists today and is in constant battle with the Catholic Church. Some theorists believe that the Illuminati work to establish a New World Order and influenced most world events in the early 20th century. What can be verified is that there are several groups using the name in the 20th century, based on the principles of the Bavarian and European groups. These include the German Ordo Illuminatorum, the Rockefeller Grand Lodge in the United States, and the Spanish Orden Illuminati.
There are various perspectives on the benefits of the Illuminati in the modern world. Some believe the group’s focus on science will ultimately destroy the world. Others think they exist to lead the world with a primary reliance on science, and that they will specifically gain prominence after a cataclysmic event on earth destroys most of its inhabitants. For some, the company is an object of fear, for others a source of hope, and for many it is simply a curious bunch exaggerated in importance by conspiracy theorists and works of fiction.
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