When it comes to conspiracies and topics of world domination, no organization is as secret or as controversial as the Illuminati. Although the Illuminati is often tied in to conspiracies involving Atlantis and UFOs, the Paranormal categories may not be the best fit for it. However, unless we create a category for secret societies or conspiracies at some point, this is the most appropriate category. Given that many people deny the existence of the Illuminati, while others ascribe supernatural powers or extraterrestrial relationships to it, it's not off-topic. According to those who believe in and fear the Illuminati, the group's primary purpose is to establish a New World Order, consisting of a totalitarian government for everyone. There is a belief that agents of the Illuminati has already infiltrated the world's governments, media, corporate structures, religions, and entertainment industries. There is a basis in fact for the Illuminati. The group was founded in the 18th century in Bavaria by a man named Adam Weishaupt, an educator with secular leanings who wanted to restrict the power of the Catholic Church. The Illuminati bore many of the characteristics of the Freemasons, especially in its organizational structure and use of rituals. Its full name is the Order of the Illuminati, as its members considered themselves to be the enlightened ones. Supposedly, the Illuminati was destroyed by the government in the late 1780s, yet many believe that it continued secretly. Over the years, many politicians around the world, including President George H.W. Bush, have used the term, "new world order" as a goal to which they ascribed, and many have gone on to describe the goal as being a one-world central government. The Illuminati furthers its agenda by destroying world leaders or governments who are unwilling to cooperate with the Order through its control over the United Nations and many of the world's governments, and gains support through its control of the media.
 
 
Feature Article
The Influence of the Illuminati on Early New England

The Illuminati, when it is thought of today, is an ethereal organization
of unknown, but powerful people, who are the puppet masters behind the
governments of the world, allegedly working to bring about a New World
Order. While central to many conspiracy theories, the Illuminati are often
thought to be an invention of right-wing fringe individuals and groups
within the United States, and is seldom spoken about except on Internet
postings and in some late-night radio shows. For the most part, those who
believe in the Illuminati are ridiculed.
However, the origins of the Illuminati are a matter of historical fact.
The movement was founded on May 1, 1776, in Ingolstadt, in Upper Bavaria.
With an original membership of five, it was known as the Order of the
Illuminati. Its founder was Adam Weishaupt, a lay professor of canon law
at the University of Ingolstadt, who seemingly modeled the organizations
after the Freemasons. As its members took a vow of secrecy, little is
known about the organization, but among its goals were to eliminate
superstition, prejudice, and the domination that the Roman
Catholic Church had over government, philosophy,
and science.
The organization also worked to reduce abuses of power by the government,
and to advocate for the inclusion of women in intellectual pursuits.
Before long the organization grew to include influential people throughout
Europe,
reportedly boasting a membership of around two thousand people within ten
years of its inception. It became known popularly as the Bavarian
Illuminati.
In 1777, a new government in Bavaria, under the leadership of Karl
Theodor, banned all secret societies, including the Illuminati. The
oppression against the organization continued and, in 1785, Weihaupt fled
Bavaria, and the organization's documents and internal correspondence was
seized by the government and subsequently published in 1787.
In other European countries, the organization either died out or went
deeply underground, although it was alleged to have been the force behind
the French
Revolution. It made its way to the newly formed United
States of America as well. Jedidiah Morse, a geographer whose
textbooks were a staple for U.S. students, and the father of Samuel
Morse, preached against the Illuminati in 1798 and 1799, delivering
three sermons arguing that the Illuminati were behind the
anti-Federalists.
On the subject, President
George Washington said, "It is not my intention to doubt that the
doctrine of the Illuminati and the principles of Jacobinism had not spread
in the United States. On the contrary, no one is more satisfied of this
fact than I am."
Vernon Stauffer, Dean and Professor of New Testament and Church History at
Hiram College, published a book in 1918, entitled New
England and the Bavarian Illuminati, in which he documents the
manner in which the Illuminati came to America and the influence that the
Illuminati had on U.S. politics in the early days of the nation.
The Federalists had just won a closely matched presidential election,
defeating the Democrat-Republicans. John
Adams ascended to the presidency amid sharp hostility and
resentment. Thomas
Jefferson, his opponent, became Vice President, which didn't
alleviate the situation any. In addition to the presidency, the
Federalists controlled both houses of congress, but also narrowly. There
was no clear majority through which either faction could claim a mandate.
The new nation was split into two political parties that had little in
common. The country was divided geographically, as well as politically,
with the Federalists having a clear majority in the New England states,
while the Southern states and Pennsylvania
were in the Democrat
camp, and Maryland
was split between the two. The vote of the electoral college that chose
Adams over Jefferson was in dispute.
Newspapers were distrusted, as the majority of them took one side or
another, and there were many who felt that the church had too much
influence over governmental policy. Americans were also divided over
matters of foreign policy, with part of the nation hostile to France,
favoring England
as an ally, and relations with continental Europe were poor.
Many saw the hand of a conspiracy in the events that were taking place. It
was a matter of fact that the Order of the Illuminati had existed, so it
was not a large leap to see the Illuminati behind the troubles that had
fallen on America.
In 1802, Seth Payson had published a book that was originally entitled, Proofs
of the Real Existence, and Dangerous Tendency, of Illuminism,
which was later shortened to Proof of
the Illuminati. Payson was a Congregational
preacher who had been instrumental in establishing churches throughout
northern New England. He was also a staunch Federalist, who had served in
the New
Hampshire State senate from 1802 to 1805.
In his book, Payson argued against the efforts to discredit the existence
of the Illuminati, which included ridicule and defamation. He also viewed
the aims of the Illuminati to include the abolition of Christianity
and the national government. In the preface to his book, he writes:
"I claim no merit for discovering what I could not avoid seeing, but by
shutting my eyes; and I fear no censure, for I have obeyed the call of
duty. I have no hope of convincing those who have had access to the
evidence here referred to, but for reasons best known to themselves, have
rejected it; nor the many who have presumed to give judgement without
examination."
Given the history of the Illuminati in the United States, it is perhaps
fair to say that, if they are still in existence and playing a role in
U.S. politics today, those who believe that will be treated in the same
way as those who believe it during the early years of our nation - with
ridicule and defamation.
Recommended Resources
Often associated with the secret organization known as the Illuminati, world leaders are said to meet for seventeen days each July in a remote and secret grove of redwood trees near San Francisco known as the Bohemian Grove. Although their membership roll is secret, many of the names that have been advanced include former US presidents and top government leaders, astronauts, business executives, news and media personalities, authors, and world leaders, all of whom dress in Druid-type costumes.
http://bohemiangroveexposed.com/
Collecting and disseminating news, information and commentary about the Illuminati, globalization and the New World Order, the New Age movement, deep politics, scientific dictatorships, and political conspiracy theories, along with book reviews, book suggestions, video, and a blog. Included is information about the historical record of the Illuminati and other secret organizations, as well as contemporary news and how it might fit into the agenda.
http://www.conspiracyarchive.com/
As one of many sites claiming to be the official web site of the Illuminati, the site lists the core beliefs of the secret organization, offers photos and testimonials from people who claim to have been benefited through the Illuminati, and solicits visitors to apply for membership. Promotional videos and messages are included, along with media contacts and a statement of terms of use and policies pertaining to the site.
https://www.illuminatiofficial.org/
Offering a 257-page ebook that purports to expose the secrets of the Illuminati, available for downloading free, the site offers several excerpts from the book, as well as endorsements from people who have read the book and applied the secrets to their lives or businesses. Other topics available on the site, without downloading the book, include a brief history and profile of the Illuminati and other groups that are or were based on them, relationships between the Illuminati and the Freemasons.
https://www.illuminatisecrets.net/
The site offers a guide to what is claimed to be Illuminati symbols found in official currency and monuments, hand signs, movies, cartoons, television, music, corporate and government logos, as well as those used by various celebrities and politicians. Recently adopted or discovered signs are highlighted on a separate page. A video introduction to Illuminati symbols is included.
https://illuminatisymbols.info/
Isaac Weishaupt explores the themes and agendas that are all around us, largely focused on the Illuminati, but touching on other conspiracy theories. Satanic influences, and taboo subjects, some of which may or may not be related to the Illuminati. New articles are posted to the site frequently, as well as reviews of television programs, music, and film that may advance the goals of the Illuminati. An online shopping area offers for sale the books published by Weishaupt.
https://illuminatiwatcher.com/
Claiming to represent the Illuminati, the site offers a diatribe about greatness and the achievement of knowledge and wisdom, as well as the text of the oath of the Illuminati, a section displaying and explaining the power and purpose of Illuminati symbols, articles on the need for global change and unity, and offers, for sale, a book entitle, "Illuminations: Wisdom From This Planet's Greatest Minds."
https://illuminati.am/
Advertising an exclusive ball, for thirty selected guests, at a secret waterfront estate, a promotional audio message is provided, along with an application form, and an informational message detailing the dress code, levels, and other instructions, as well as a brief introduction to what may be expected for those who are chosen. Testimonials are offered, as well as an overview of the Illuminati and its goals.
http://www.theilluminatiball.com/
True Conspiracies, the Illuminati and One World Government
Represents a summary of several intertwined conspiracies regarding money, one world government, education, banks, suppressed inventions, energy, wars, globalization, free trade, privatization, deregulation, shares, foreign investment, suppression, price fixing, disarmament, politics, the work force, the anti-christ, satanic symbols, one world religion, the new age movement, and others. Using photos of the U.S. one-dollar bill, the site points to the Illuminati symbols used in the design.
http://www.trueconspiracies.com/