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This movement was founded on [[May 1]], [[1776]], in [[Ingolstadt]] ([[Upper Bavaria]]), by [[Jesuit]]-taught [[Adam Weishaupt]] (d. [[1830]]),<ref>[http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/stauffer.html The European Illuminati] by Vernon L. Stauffer, hosted on the Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon website (hereafter BC&Y).</ref> who was the first lay professor of [[canon law]] at the University of Ingolstadt.<ref>[http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/illuminati.html A Bavarian Illuminati Primer] Compiled by Trevor W. McKeown hosted BC&Y</ref> The movement was made up of [[freethought|freethinkers]], as an offshoot of the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]]<ref>[http://www.atheists.org/Atheism/roots/enlightenment/ The Enlightenment, Freemasonry, and The Illuminati; American Atheists]</ref>, which some believe was a conspiracy to infiltrate and overthrow the governments of many European states<ref>[http://reactor-core.org/proofs-of-a-conspiracy#chapter2 Chapter 2--The Illuminati; Proofs of a Conspiracy; John Robison; 1798]</ref>. 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]], [[Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria|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.
This movement was founded on [[May 1]], [[1776]], in [[Ingolstadt]] ([[Upper Bavaria]]), by [[Jesuit]]-taught [[Adam Weishaupt]] (d. [[1830]]),<ref>[http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/anti-masonry/stauffer.html The European Illuminati] by Vernon L. Stauffer, hosted on the Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon website (hereafter BC&Y).</ref> who was the first lay professor of [[canon law]] at the University of Ingolstadt.<ref>[http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/illuminati.html A Bavarian Illuminati Primer] Compiled by Trevor W. McKeown hosted BC&Y</ref> The movement was made up of [[freethought|freethinkers]], as an offshoot of the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]]<ref>[http://www.atheists.org/Atheism/roots/enlightenment/ The Enlightenment, Freemasonry, and The Illuminati; American Atheists]</ref>, which some believe was a conspiracy to infiltrate and overthrow the governments of many European states<ref>[http://reactor-core.org/proofs-of-a-conspiracy#chapter2 Chapter 2--The Illuminati; Proofs of a Conspiracy; John Robison; 1798]</ref>. 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]], [[Charles Theodore, Elector of Bavaria|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.<ref>[http://www.cesnur.org/2005/mi_illuminati_en.htm page from cesnur.org]</ref> Although a few [[Freemasonry|Freemasons]] were known{{Fact|date=August 2007}} to be members there is no evidence that it was supported by Freemasonry as an institution. Indeed, membership in the Illuminati, unlike that in Freemasonry, did not require belief in a [[Supreme Being]].{{Fact|date=August 2007}} As a result, [[Atheism|atheists]] having only the former organization open to them, congregated disproportionately in it; this over-representation, taken along with the Illuminati's largely [[Humanism|humanist]] and anti-clerical bent, likely accounts for many of the claims of [[atheism]] leveled at the alleged world conspiracy of which the Illuminati supposedly remain a part.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
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.<ref>[http://www.cesnur.org/2005/mi_illuminati_en.htm page from cesnur.org]</ref> 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.<ref>[http://freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/illuminati.html A Bavarian Illuminati Primer] Compiled by Trevor W. McKeown hosted BC&Y</ref> 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 (district)|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]].{{Fact|date=August 2007}}
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''). Relations with Masonic lodges were established at [[Munich]] and [[Freising]] in 1780 by Alexander Gibson and Joseph Vincent respectively.{{Fact|date=August 2007}}

⚫
The order had its branches in most countries of the European continent;{{Fact|date=August 2007}} it reportedly had around 2,000 members over the span of 10 years.{{Fact|date=August 2007}} 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 (district)|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]].{{Fact|date=August 2007}}


=== Illuminati after 1790 ===
=== Illuminati after 1790 ===

Revision as of 04:13, 24 December 2007

For other uses, see Illuminati (disambiguation).

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

Adam Weishaupt

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] 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, including the Ordo Templi Orientis (OTO) founded by Theodor Reuss and Aleister Crowley (England),[8] Grand Lodge Rockefeller founded by David Goldman (USA), Orden Illuminati[9] founded by Gabriel López de Rojas (Spain), The Illuminati Order[10] and others.

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Daraul, Arkon, A History of Secret Societies, London Octagon 1983 (originally London: Muller, 1961) ISBN 0863040241
  2. ^ The European Illuminati by Vernon L. Stauffer, hosted on the Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon website (hereafter BC&Y).
  3. ^ A Bavarian Illuminati Primer Compiled by Trevor W. McKeown hosted BC&Y
  4. ^ The Enlightenment, Freemasonry, and The Illuminati; American Atheists
  5. ^ Chapter 2--The Illuminati; Proofs of a Conspiracy; John Robison; 1798
  6. ^ page from cesnur.org
  7. ^ A Bavarian Illuminati Primer Compiled by Trevor W. McKeown hosted BC&Y
  8. ^ page from cyberlink.ch
  9. ^ Ordeniluminati.com
  10. ^ illuminati-order.com

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.
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