Exploring the Illuminati: Its History, Beliefs, and Modern Myths

For decades, there has been a long-standing conspiracy theory that claims the Illuminati secretly controls the world and is working to establish a new world order. This idea traces its origins back to a fictional event that occurred in Europe during the 1960s, drawing on the historical context of the Enlightenment era in the 17th and 18th centuries. This period sparked significant changes in science, philosophy, and society, particularly across Europe.

The roots of the Illuminati are often linked to Germany, where a mysterious group called the Bavarians was founded in 1776. It was composed of intellectuals who came together to critique existing religious structures and hierarchies. Like other secret societies, such as the Freemasons, the Illuminati was regarded as a progressive movement. However, critics, especially conservative religious groups, strongly opposed it.

After a period of disappearing from public view, the Illuminati resurfaced in the 1960s. Researcher David Bramwell, who has extensively studied the Illuminati, notes that today’s version of the Illuminati is quite different from its Bavarian origins. During the 1960s, as anti-traditional movements began to gain momentum, fueled by Eastern philosophies, a book called Principia Discordia was published. This novel introduced the concept of a group worshipping a god of chaos named Eris, with the goal of creating societal turmoil.

The book’s co-author, Robert Anton Wilson, believed that the world had become overly authoritarian, and in an effort to spark societal change, he promoted the idea of chaos as a tool for revolution. “Wilson thought that change could be achieved by manipulating the media, challenging popular cultures, and spreading misinformation,” says Bramwell.

Wilson’s work, along with other efforts such as a fake letter published in Playboy magazine that claimed to reveal the Illuminati’s existence, helped fuel the spread of the Illuminati conspiracy. These efforts, meant to question what people were reading and hearing, successfully convinced many that the Illuminati was real. Over time, the Illuminati came to be associated with major events, including the assassination of John F. Kennedy.

One major catalyst for the spread of Illuminati theories was the release of Illuminati playing cards in 1975. The cards featured imagery that was popularly associated with the group, propelling it into greater public awareness. Over the years, celebrities such as Jay-Z and Beyoncé have been frequently linked to the Illuminati, with their performances often symbolized by triangular imagery.

Though such claims are widely debunked, the conspiracy theory that emerged in the 1960s continues to thrive. The theory has gained traction on websites like 4chan and Reddit, where conspiracy enthusiasts share and discuss their beliefs. A 2015 survey in the U.S. found that half of Americans believed at least one conspiracy theory.

Viren Swamy, a scholar from Anglia Ruskin University, explains that people may turn to conspiracy theories because they seek simple answers rather than complex analyses, or they might find comfort in believing in hidden forces shaping the world. A recent study suggests that educated individuals are less likely to believe in such theories. Swamy also notes that governments in South Asia often use conspiracy theories to control populations, while people in Western countries, feeling marginalized or unrepresented, are more prone to seeking out secret plots.

Prominent figures, such as former President Donald Trump, have been accused of promoting conspiracy theories. Examples include claims that Barack Obama wasn’t born in the U.S. and that Joe Biden's election was marred by fraud. Those who subscribe to conspiracy theories often distrust mainstream media, holding biased and sometimes xenophobic views, and leaning toward conservative ideologies.

Bramwell, the researcher on Illuminati, believes that the resurgence of secret conspiracy theories, which became popular in the 1960s, would have been celebrated by its proponents, who sought to disrupt established societal norms. With the rise of misinformation on social media, experts predict that the campaign against fake news will continue to challenge the prominence of such theories.

The Origins of Illuminati

The concept of the Illuminati dates back more than 200 years. In 1776, Adam Weishaupt, a law professor at the University of Ingolstadt, founded the Illuminati with the idea of creating a group of intellectuals that could freely express ideas outside religious constraints. Although inspired by the Freemasons and French philosophers, the Illuminati was not a religious movement. It sought to promote intellectual freedom in a society where religious orthodoxy prevailed.

Weishaupt initially selected a small group of his best students to join the society, and over time, the group grew quickly. Their mission was not only to spread knowledge but also to observe governmental and religious institutions, attempting to challenge existing power structures. The Illuminati’s influence spread across Bavaria, France, Hungary, Italy, and Poland, with its membership reportedly reaching 2,000.

German diplomat Baron Adolf is said to have played a significant role in promoting the Illuminati’s cause. Michael Kleiner, a journalist, refers to Weishaupt as a “revolutionary” who sought to improve the world by changing society’s structure. “He taught people to be better. He wanted to change society. He wanted to see a better world and governance,” Kleiner explains.

However, in its tenth year, the group was dismantled, facing opposition for its anti-government stance, and Weishaupt fled to Gotha. Despite this, historians like Dr. Michael Wood believe that the Illuminati may not have been fully eradicated, suggesting that its influence continued in the shadows.

Today, the city of Ingolstadt is seen as the birthplace of the Illuminati, and its history is preserved in the local museum, which houses books and artifacts linked to the Illuminati. Visitors to the city sometimes encounter individuals who still believe in the existence of the Illuminati. Sister Anna, a local bookshop worker, recounts how people often ask her about the secret meetings of the Illuminati, despite there being no truth to such claims.