illuminati

This is an article about groups called the "Illuminati". For information on the games, see Illuminati (game) and Illuminati: New World Order. For the novels, see The Illuminatus! Trilogy.''The Illuminati is the name of many groups, modern and historical, real and fictionfictitious, verified and alleged. Most commonly, however, ''The Illuminati'' refers specifically to the BavariaBavarian Illuminati, the least secret of all Secret societysecret societies in the world, described below. Most use refers to an alleged shadowy conspiracy theoryconspiratorial organization which controls world affairs behind the scenes, usually a modern incarnation or continuation of the Bavarian Illuminati. ''Illuminati'' is sometimes used synonymously with New World Order (conspiracy)New World Order.

Origins - Since ''Illuminati'' literally means 'enlightened ones' in Latin, it is natural that several unrelated historical groups have identified themselves as ''Illuminati''. Often, this was due to claims of possessing Gnosticism gnostic texts or other arcane information not generally available. The Arabic term Ishraqiyun الإشراقيون is conventionally translated as "Illuminists", and refers to a medieval neo-Platonic tendency within Islam (see Suhrawardi, Illuminationist philosophy).The designation ''illuminati'' was also in use from the 14th century by the Brethren of the Free Spirit, and in the 15th century was assumed by other enthusiasts who claimed that the illuminating light came, not by being communicated from an authoritative but secret source, but from within, the result of exalted consciousness, or "Enlightenment (concept)enlightenment".

Alumbrados of Spain - To the former class belong the ''alumbrados'' of Spain. The historian Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo found the name as early as 1492 (in the form ''iluminados'', 1498), but traced them to a Gnostic origin, and thought their views were promoted in Spain through influences from Italy. One of their earliest leaders, born in Salamanca, a labourer's daughter known as La Beata de Piedrahita, came under the notice of the Spanish inquisitionInquisition in 1511, as claiming to hold colloquies with Jesus and the Mary, the mother of JesusVirgin Mary; some high patronage saved her from a rigorous denunciation. (Menéndez Pelayo, ''Los Heterodoxos Españoles'', 1881, vol. v.). Ignatius Loyola, while studying at Salamanca in 1527, was brought before an ecclesiastical commission on a charge of sympathy with the ''alumbrados'', but escaped with an admonition. Others were not so fortunate. In 1529 a congregation of naïve adherents at Toledo was subjected to whippings and imprisonment. Greater rigors followed, and for about a century the ''alumbrados'' sent many victims to the Inquisition, especially at Córdoba, SpainCórdoba.

Illuminés of France - The movement (under the name of ''Illuminés'') seems to have reached France from Seville in 1623, and attained some following in Picardy when joined (1634) by Pierce Guerin, curé of Saint-Georges de Roye, whose followers, known as Gurinets, were suppressed in 1635.A century later, another, more obscure body of ''Illuminés'' came to light in the south of France in 1722, and appears to have lingered till 1794, having affinities with those known contemporaneously in Britain as 'French Prophets', an offshoot of the Camisards.

Rosicrucians - A different class were the Rosicrucians, who claimed to originate in 1407, but rose into notice in 1614 when their main text ''Fama Fraternitatis'' appeared; a secret society, that claimed to combine the possession of esoteric principles of religion with the mysteries of alchemy. Their positions are embodied in three anonymous treatises of 1614 (mentioned in Richard and Giraud, ''Dictionnaire universel des sciences ecclésiastiques'', Paris 1825), as well as in the ''Confessio Fraternitatis'' of 1615. Rosicrucians also claimed heritage from the Knights Templar.

Martinists - Later, the title Illuminati was applied to the French Martinists which had been founded in 1754 by Martinez Pasqualis, and to their imitators the Russian Martinists, headed about 1790 by Professor Schwartz of Moscow; both were occultist Kabbalahcabalists and allegorists, absorbing eclectic ideas from Jakob Boehme and Emanuel Swedenborg.

The Bavarian Illuminati -

History - A movement of freethoughtfreethinkers that were the most radical offshoot of The Enlightenment — whose adherents were given the name Illuminati (but who called themselves "Perfectibilists") — was founded on May 1, 1776 by the ex-Society of JesusJesuit Adam Weishaupt (d. 1830), professor of canon law, and Baron Adolph von Knigge, in Ingolstadt, Bavaria (now Germany). The group has also been called the Illuminati Order, the Order of the Illuminati, and the Bavarian Illuminati. In the conservative state of Bavaria, where the progressive and enlightened elector Maximilian III Joseph von Wittelsbach was succeeded (1777) by his conservative heir Karl Theodor, and which was dominated by the Roman Catholic Church and the aristocracy, such an organization did not last long before it was suppressed by the powers that be. In 1784, the Bavarian government banned all secret societies including the Illuminati and the Freemasons. The structure of the Illuminati soon collapsed, but while it was in existence many influential intellectuals and progressive politicians counted themselves as members. Its members were supposedly drawn primarily from FreemasonryMasons and former Masons, and although some Masons were known to be members there is no evidence that it was supported by Freemasons. The 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'', consisting of the ascending degrees of ''Illuminatus Major'' and ''Illuminatus dirigens'', the latter 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. The order had its branches in most countries of the European continent; its members were repotredly around 3,000-4,000 members in the span of 10 years. The scheme had its attraction for literary men, such as Goethe and Herder, and even for the reigning dukes of Gotha (district)Gotha and Weimar. Internal rupture preceded its downfall, which was effected by an edict of the Bavarian government in 1785.

Cultural effect - The Bavarian Illuminati have cast a long shadow in popular history thanks to the writings of their opponents; the lurid allegations of conspiracy that have colored the image of the Freemasons have practically opaqued that of the Illuminati. In 1797, Abbé Augustin Barruél published ''Memoirs Illustrating the History of Jacobinism'' outlining a vivid conspiracy theory involving the Knights Templar, the Rosicrucians, the JacobinismJacobins and the Illuminati. A ScotlandScottish Mason and professor of natural history named John Robison started to publish ''Proofs of a Conspiracy Against all the Religions and Governments of Europe'' in 1798. Robison claimed to present evidence of an Illuminati conspiracy striving to replace all religions with humanism and all nations with a single world government. More recently, Antony C. Sutton suggested that the secret society Skull and Bones was founded as the American branch of the Illuminati; others think Scroll and Key had Illuminati origins, as well. Robert Gillete claimed that these Illuminati ultimately intend to establish a world government through assassination, bribery, blackmail, the control of banks and other financial powers, the infiltration of governments, mind control, and by causing wars and revolution to move their own people into higher positions in the politicspolitical hierarchy. Thomas Jefferson, on the other hand, claimed they intended to spread information and the principles of true morality. He attributed the secrecy of the Illuminati to what he called "the tyranny of a despot and priests".Both seem to agree that the enemies of the Illuminati were the monarchs of Europe and the Church; Barruél claimed that the French revolution (1789) was engineered and controlled by the Illuminati through the JacobinismJacobins, and later conspiracy theorists have also claimed their responsibility for the Russian Revolution of 1917Russian Revolution (1917), although the order was officially shut down in 1790. Few historians give credence to these views; they regard such claims as the products of over-fertile imaginations.Several sources suggest that the Bavarian Illuminati survived, and perhaps even exist today. Conspiracy theorists highlight the link between the Illuminati and Freemasonry. It is also suggested that the United States' founding fathers – some being Freemasons – were rife with corruption from the Illuminati. Often the symbol of the all-seeing pyramid in the Great Seal of the United States is cited as an example of the Illuminati's ever-present watchful eye over Americans.Very little reliable evidence can be found to suggest that Weishaupt's group survived into the 19th century. However, several groups have since used the name Illuminati to found their own rites, claiming to be the Illuminati. Such groups include the Grand Lodge Rockefeller of David Goldman (USA), Orden Illuminati of Gabriel López de Rojas (Spain), and The Illuminati Order of Solomon Tulbure (USA).In 1995, Gabriel López de Rojas founded Illuminati Order in Barcelona, Spain, elaborating the Operative Rite of The Illuminati of Bavarian. This Rite is based on the Rite of the Illuminati and high degrees of Scottish Rite of 33 degrees.The System of its Illuminati Grand Master, Gabriel López de Rojas, is the Redism. This system is based on the lemma HOMO EST DEUS, or "man is god". Groups describing themselves as Illuminati say they have members and chapters (lodges) throughout the world; only time will tell if the Illuminati still exists and if they suceed in taking over the world.

The Illuminati in popular culture - The historical Illuminati have had several influences on popular culture, many of them satirical, humorous, or intended as pure fiction:

''Illuminatus trilogyIlluminatus!'' by Robert Shea and Robert Anton Wilson is a three-book science fiction series published in the 1970s, which is regarded as a cult classic in the hacker community. The occult group Illuminates of Thanateros can be safely assumed to have named itself inspired by this book and claims heritage to the Illuminati at least in spirit.

Robert Anton Wilson also wrote the Historical Illuminati Trilogy in the early 1980s. While this too is a fictional account of a young Italian Free Mason, the books are crammed with historical footnotes.

Umberto Eco's ''Foucault's Pendulum (book)Foucault's Pendulum'' is a labyrinthine novel about all sorts of secret societies, including the Illuminati and the Rosicrucians.

''Angels and Demons'' (German languageGerman title: ''Illuminati'', Dutch languageDutch title: ''Het Bernini Mysterie''), by Dan Brown, is about an Illuminati order plot against the Catholic Church. In this novel the Illuminati movement was founded by Galileo Galilei and others as an enlightened reaction to persecution by the Catholic Church.

The Illuminati was featured in a couple episodes of the The Walt Disney CompanyWalt Disney animated series ''Gargoyles (animated series)Gargoyles'', but it played a background role for the most part. As well, one of the major antagonists of the series, David Xanatos, was referred to as a member of the Illuminati. But there are some differencies from bavarian Illuminati. In ''Gargoyles (animated series)Gargoyles'' Illuminati is found in 948 A.D. unlike Bavarian Illuminati founded in 01.05.1776 by Adam Weishaupt.

The Principia Discordia, the infamous holy book of Discordianism, includes the Illuminati as one of the Greyface forces opposing Discordians.

A small movement believes the Illuminati are a group of Extraterrestrial lifealiens that hold humanity on strings and control everything. This movement reads much like a science fiction novel (and was probably derived from one).

In Simon West's movie ''Lara Croft: Tomb Raider'' (2001) a group of high society 'bad guys' call themselves Illuminati, developing a plan to rule the world. They and Lara Croft's father claim that the Illuminati have existed for millennia for this purpose.

The anime series ''Serial Experiments Lain'' contains some references to the Illuminati and the Majestic 12.

Two games from Steve Jackson Games are based on the mythos: ''Illuminati (game)Illuminati'' and its trading card game reincarnation ''Illuminati New World OrderIlluminati: New World Order''. "Secret conspiracies are everywhere, and where can you find the only truth? Certainly not in the game of Illuminati" states the advertising.

''Deus Ex'', a Computer and video gamesvideo game, features the Illuminati. Its sequel, ''Deus Ex: Invisible War'' also features the Illuminati in a more active role.

The videogame ''Resident Evil 4'' features its main plot as that of preventing a religious cult known as 'Los Illuminados', from ultimately ruling the world: using parasites - 'Las Plagas' - to control and cleanse heathens.

The video game ''Area 51'' contains multiple references to the Illuminati.

UK author Clive Barker, in his epic ''Imajica'', imagines the Illuminati as a place where supernatural items are collected - and hidden/destroyed, so that the general public may never see them. Many of the items come from other dimensions, which the book expands on in great detail.

The storyline of ''Street Fighter III'' revolves around an organization calling itself the Illuminati seeking to create a new utopia.

In the DC Comics universe, there are at least two societies based on the Illuminati. The first was founded by Vandal Savage and Garn Danuuth in ancient Atlantis. The second was an organization known to its members as "Fiatlux" which was devoted to the release of a demon known as Hellrazer from the realm of Perdition.

In a recent episode of ''The Dead Zone (TV series)The Dead Zone'' it was hinted that the Illuminati will play a large role in the apocalypse that the show's protagonist John Smith is supposed to prevent.

In the ''Warhammer 40,000'' table top miniatures game, these were humans who were possessed by daemons of Chaos, but were able to escape their grasp.

The song 'No Purpose No Design' by Meat Beat Manifesto has some references to Bavarian Illuminati.

The German movie ''23 (film)23'' has some references to Illuminati topics.

In David Craig Simpson's ''Ozy and Millie'' comic strip, much of the world is manipulated, though somewhat satirically, by a Dragon Illumiati, which works off the very chaos the world itself creates.

Fat Boy Slim has a song called Illuminati

The Jurrasic 5 song ''Concrete Schoolyard'' contains a passing illuminati reference.

References -

1911 Encyclopædia Britannica "Illuminati"''

America's Secret Establishment: An Introduction to the Order of Skull & Bones — Antony C. Sutton (Trine Day, LLC, 2003)

Behold a Pale Horse — Cooper, Milton William (Light Technology Publishing, 1991)

The Cosmic Conspiracy — Deyo, Stan (Adventures Unlimited Pres, Illinois, 1994)

The Illuminati 666 — Sutton, Josiah William (Teach Services, Inc, New York, 1983).

Proof of a Conspiracy Against all the Religions and Governments of Europe — Robinson, John A.M. (New York, 1798)

They Cast No Shadows: A Collection of essays on the Illuminati, revisonist history and suppressed technology — Brian DesboroughDesborough, Brian(Writers Club Press/ iUniverse.com, 2002) ISBN 0595219578

See also -

Secret Society

Conspiracy theory

New World Order (conspiracy)

Council on Foreign Relations

Jordan Maxwell

David Icke

Freemasonry

The Justified Ancients of Mu Mu

Illuminus

External links -

thomasinechurch.org - Thomasine Church

100777.com - ''The Illuminati and the CFR''

freemasonry.bcy.ca - ''A Bavarian Illuminati Primer'' by Trevor W. McKeown

conspiracyarchive.com - Illuminati Conspiracy Archive

anti-masonry.info - alt.illuminati FAQ

? luisprada.com - The Illuminati and the Galactic Federation

Groups identifying themselves as Illuminati -

ordeniluminati.com - Orden Illuminati

illuminati-order.com - The Illuminati Order

illuminati13.org - Illuminati Order

illuminatiorder.net - Illuminati Order USACategory:Secret societiesCategory:Conspiracy !theoriesbg:Илюминатиd a:Illuminatide:Illuminatenorde net:Illuminaadides:Illuminatif r:Illuminatiit:Illuminatija:� �ルミナティnl:Illuminatip t:Illuminatiru:Иллюмин� �тыsl:Iluminatifi:Illuminati sv:Illuminatizh:光明帮

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Church of Gnostic Luminism
Integration of higher consciousness with the normal waking self is the true goal of all valid religious practice, whatever the symbols used to embody the idea. Its attainment triggers a personal transformation or “rebirth,” an Initiation; it is the only true “salvation.” If a sufficient number of individuals develop this integration, the infusion of new creative energy into human society will trigger a worldwide revolutionary transformation, an evolutionary leap into the future. This will constitute the onset of puberty for Homo sapiens. It is to this personal and social transformation — Revelation and Revolution — that our new Church will be dedicated.
http://www.luminist.org/

The ThirdEye Concept
News, music and forum discussions on politics, religion, science, ancient civilizations, supernatural truths, astronomical discoveries, and much more. These aren't part of your every-day, typical headlines or conversations.
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Presente e futuro secondo le profezie bibliche
Italian website.
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The Psychodelic Illuminati
The Psychodelic Illuminati is an occult art and electronic music project founded by Kevin Leon Thompson alias Leon Lashtal. The projects main focus is the manifestation of praeterhuman intelligences onto the material plane though music, art, and psychedelic substances.
http://www.psychodelic.ws/

Steve Jackson Games
Maker of card, board, and roleplaying games. Site contains game overviews, general company information, e-zines, and a catalog.
http://www.sjgames.com/

Illuminati Online
ISP that offers dial-up, UNIX shell accounts, web hosting, and ISDN lines.
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