"Illuminata" redirects here. For the 1998 John Turturro film, see Illuminata.

Illuminati is a name that refers to several groups, both real and fictitious. Historically, it refers specifically to the Bavarian Illuminati, an Enlightenment era secret society founded in the late eighteenth century. However, in modern times it refers to a purported conspiratorial organization which acts as a shadowy power behind the throne, allegedly controlling world affairs through present day governments and corporations, usually as a modern incarnation or continuation of the Bavarian Illuminati. In this context, Illuminati is often used in reference to a New World Order (NWO). Many conspiracy theorists believe the Illuminati, or the "Illuminated ones", are the masterminds behind events that will lead to the establishment of such a New World Order. Confusing the issue further is the fact that there are also several modern fraternal groups which include the word "Illuminati" in their names.

In rarer cases, the Illuminati refers to an elite set of enlightened individuals who may not cooperate but are uniquely empowered by their enlightenment, much like the intelligentsia classes of today are empowered by their education and intelligence. These are people who have become illuminated and have achieved a higher mystical understanding of the universe. Many secret societies and mystical traditions are concerned with this kind of illumination or enlightenment, such as the Rosicrucian Societies, the Martinists and the original Bavarian Illuminati.^[1]

The Bavarian Illuminati

History

This movement was founded on May 1, 1776, in Ingolstadt (Upper Bavaria), by Jesuit-taught Adam Weishaupt (d. 1830),^[2] who was the first lay professor of canon law at the University of Ingolstadt.^[3] The movement was made up of freethinkers, as an offshoot of the Enlightenment^[4], which some believe was a conspiracy to infiltrate and overthrow the governments of many European states^[5]. The group's adherents were given the name Illuminati, although they called themselves "Perfectibilists". The group has also been called the Illuminati Order, and the Bavarian Illuminati, and the movement itself has been referred to as Illuminism. In 1777, Karl Theodor, Elector Palatine, succeeded as ruler of Bavaria. He was a proponent of Enlightened Despotism and in 1784, his government banned all secret societies, including the Illuminati.

While it was not legally allowed to operate, many influential intellectuals and progressive politicians counted themselves as members, including Ferdinand of Brunswick and the diplomat Xavier von Zwack.^[6] Xavier von Zwack was also the number two man in the operation and was caught with many of the groups documentations when his home was searched. The Illuminati's members pledged obedience to their superiors, and were divided into three main classes: the first, known as the Nursery, encompassed the ascending degrees or offices of Preparation, Novice, Minerval and Illuminatus Minor. The second, known as the Masonry, consists of the ascending degrees of Illuminatus Major and Illuminatus dirigens. It was also sometimes called Scotch Knight. The third, designated the Mysteries, was subdivided into the degrees of the Lesser Mysteries (Presbyter and Regent) and those of the Greater Mysteries (Magus and Rex).

The order had its branches in most countries of the European continent; it reportedly had around 2,000 members over the span of 10 years.^[7] The scheme had its attraction for literary men, such as Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Johann Gottfried Herder, and even for the reigning dukes of Gotha and Weimar. Internal rupture and panic over succession preceded its downfall, which was effected by The Secular Edict made by the Bavarian government in 1785.^{[citation needed]}

Illuminati after 1790

Conspiracy theorists such as Ryan Burke and Morgan Gricar, have argued that the Bavarian Illuminati survived, possibly to this day, though very little reliable evidence can be found to support that Weishaupt's group survived into the 19th century. However, several groups have used the name Illuminati since to found their own rites, claiming to be the Illuminati.

Fictional Illuminati

The Illuminati is central to the plot of Dan Brown's fictional novel Angels and Demons, in which the Illuminati brotherhood appears to resurface stronger than ever after surviving for years underground.

Several Illuminati-based conspriacies are central to the plot of a series of novels by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson, entitled: "The Illuminatus! Trilogy" Robert Anton Wilson wrote, "The Historical Illuminatus Chronicles." Set in the eighteenth century, it gives a historical perspective on the Illuminati.

In Marvel comics a faction of the most influential heroes of the Marvel Universe formed a group called the Illuminati^[8] which included: Charles Xavier (Professor X) founder of the X-Men; Reed Richards (Mister Fantastic) scientific genius and leader of the Fantastic Four; Tony Stark (Iron Man), millionare inventor, Avenger and current Director of S.H.I.E.L.D; Namor (The Sub-Mariner) the king of Atlantis; and Black Bolt the king of the Inhumans.

See also

• New World Order (conspiracy)
• Illuminati in popular culture
• Illuminati Scare
• John Todd
• Discordianism
• Bilderberg Group

Notes

References

• 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica: "Illuminati"
• Die Korrespondenz des Illuminatenordens. Bd. 1, 1776–81. Ed. by Reinhard Markner, Monika Neugebauer-Wölk and Hermann Schüttler. - Tübingen, Max Niemeyer, 2005. - ISBN 3-484-10881-9
• Radical Enlightenment: Philosophy and the Making of Modernity 1650–1750. Israel, Jonathan I. (Oxford University Press, USA; New Ed edition, 2002).
• Barkun, Michael (2003). A Culture of Conspiracy: Apocalyptic Visions in Contemporary America. University of California Press, Berkeley. ISBN 0-520-23805-2.
• Johnson, George (1983). Architects of Fear: Conspiracy Theories and Paranoia in American Politics. Los Angeles: Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc. ISBN 0-87477-275-3.

External links

• Theory of a New Life Form by the Illuminati
• Complete text of 'Proofs of a Conspiracy...' by John Robison (1797) at sacred-texts.com
• Illuminati Conspiracy Part One: A Precise Exegesis on the Available Evidence by Terry Melanson
• The Enlightenment, Freemasonry, and The Illuminati by Conrad Goeringer
• The Catholic Encyclopedia entry on Illuminati
• America's Illuminati Occult Conspiracy A Brave New World Order

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