What is Illuminati? Does the Illuminati exist still today?

Does the Illuminati Still Exist?

What Is The Illuminati?

What gave rise to the original Illuminati?

It was created as a Masonic group in 1776 by German philosopher Adam Weishaupt to liberate humanity from all forms of political, mental, and physical bondage. As the name implies, they were intent on guiding individuals towards enlightenment. Still, they found society was restricted by those in power who wished to maintain control and did not care about individuals’ well-being. Having recognized the corruption of politicians and nobility and how organized religion held back science and spiritual development, they set out to rid the world of these institutions.

Can anyone join? How are members thought to be selected?

Members were initially recruited from Masonic lodges but later expanded to include anyone whose ideals aligned with the Illuminati’s goals of equality and social justice. At their peak, they controlled Masonic lodges and many other groups across Europe, Asia, and America.

If the Illuminati existed today, their beliefs would be aligned with the online communities of hacktivists, pranksters, political petition websites, and social networks to expose and challenge authority. The online collective Anonymous is an example of a modern Illuminati formed in the discussion forums frequented by hackers.

How do members of the Illuminati rebel against establishments—and how do they express their ideas?

In the late 1770s, the group developed subversive rituals designed to liberate initiates from the mental constraints of political and religious influence and undermine the patriotism that kept the royal families of Europe in power. Once initiated, these individuals were instructed to infiltrate other groups or maneuver themselves into positions of influence to subvert or direct power away from the ruling elite and back to the people. They also published political satires and propaganda to make the public aware of crimes committed by the ruling classes.

For example, this is mirrored today, with WikiLeaks providing a platform for whistle-blowers to release information directly to the public anonymously. This undermines state influence over mainstream media and is a step toward making governments transparent and accountable.

Is the work or intention of the Illuminati about making broad changes in the world, or is it more specific?

The original Illuminati intended to liberate humanity from physical, mental, and spiritual bondage in the wider sense. They believed in the struggle against inequality and corruption. They identified opportunities for change in society and worked to support them. For example, they capitalized on the growing unrest in France by distributing anti-monarchist tracts, ultimately helping to provoke the French Revolution. In recognition of their influence, the British Monarchy banned secret societies in the UK, but the influence of secret societies continued well into the 20th century.

“The original Illuminati formed more than two centuries ago as a secret society aimed at undermining corrupt governments and the religious intolerance that dominated society at the time.”

Even today, some of the most powerful men in the world meet in secret to perform rituals at Bohemian Grove. As they enact a mystery play beneath a giant stone statue of an owl that was once the symbol of the Illuminati, it’s easy to see why so many people believe the Illuminati still exist.

Have the goals and intentions remained the same, or have they evolved?

Corruption, oppression, and inequality are still major challenges for society. Still, there has been a shift in power from monarchies and religions, as politics has become a tool for corporations to put profits before the needs of the individual. Only now, through the disruptive technology of the internet, there is a platform for individuals to demand accountability and choose ethical alternatives if they are unhappy with how a company, politician, or another figure in power conducts itself. The internet was created for sharing and collaboration, and this is reflected in the emerging online culture that can be seen in campaigning websites, alternative currencies, and Kickstarter-funded projects.

While the original Illuminati disappeared into the mists of history, they left many other societies to continue their work. The spirit of the Illuminati can be found today in the online dissent and counter-culture groups like Anonymous and WikiLeaks, and many other proactive communities helping to progress society. Through online communities, there is an opportunity for every individual to become an agent for positive change. Today, anyone can form their own Illuminati and become a change agent. If we work collectively for the good of everyone, we have the potential to counteract the more destructive aspects of modern society.

Why all the secrecy?

When faced with inevitable persecution, the original Illuminati abandoned their name to take refuge within a myriad of other societies to continue their work from the shadows. The question remains whether these groups survived—though certainly, the spirit of the Illuminati has lived on in counter-culture.

 How do the worlds of religion, spirituality, government, and health interact in The Illuminati belief system?

Politically, the original Illuminati recognized that those who seek power are rarely suited to wielding it, so they called for a meritocracy, a government based on aptitude and expertise rather than a privilege. In a meritocratic government, instead of a random politician taking control of the nation’s healthcare, the role would be appointed to an expert within the health industry. They advocated allowing a natural spirituality to emerge in children for religion instead of the dogma mandated by organized religions. For health matters, they were supporters of scientific methods and shared members with the original Rosicrucians, a philosophical society famous for having gifted natural healers.

 What is the difference between the Illuminati and the New World Order?

The New World Order would be better described as “The Old World Order,” as it comprises old banking families and aristocracy. Many conspiracy theorists maintain that the New World Order is the current incarnation of the Illuminati. Still, their aims are the antithesis of the original Illuminati, who valued individual freedom above all forms of control. If a New World Order exists and aims to control society, it will always be challenged by those willing to fight for equality and freedom.

Robert Howells is an author and researcher who has spent more than twenty years investigating secret societies (including the Priory of Sion, the Freemasons, and the Order of Lazarus), counter-culture movements, and conspiracy theories. His latest book, The Illuminati: The Counterculture Revolution—From Secret Societies to Wikileaks and Anonymous, was published in November 2016.