CONSPIRACY theorists believe a shadowy group known as the Illuminati is controlling the world.
But behind the litany of bonkers claims, there was indeed an elite society named the Illuminati in 18th century Germany. Let’s take a closer look.
What is the Illuminati?
The original Illuminati dates back to the mid-1700s when it was founded by Bavarian law professor Adam Weishaupt.
His intention was to start an academic organisation of modern thinkers prepared to challenge the views of the church.
The Illuminati soon became a highly-secret society promoting enlightenment as well as moral progress for all.
However, the angered priesthood revoked Weishaupt’s academic credentials and banished him from the country.
He moved to Germany where he was better received and free to grow a flourishing Illuminati and its philosophy.
Its mission statement was “to attain the highest possible degree of morality and virtue, and to lay the foundation for the reformation of the world by the association of good men to oppose the progress of moral evil.”
While his ambitions seemed noble, Weishaupt also intended to change the way European nations were run using subversive means.
To become a member of the Illuminati you needed wealth, social influence and, most importantly, political pull.
Members of the society consisted of bankers, politicians, doctors and members of the privileged upper-classes.
After Weishaupt’s death the Illuminati is said to have formed “lodges” all across the world.
It is pretty well known that many of America’s founding fathers were members of the freemasons.
George Washington, Benjamin Franklin and John Hancock were notable masons.
The influence of their membership can be seen in the philosophies in the Constitution as well as symbolism in the US currency.
However, some believe they were linked if not even secret members of the Illuminati.
The use of the group’s all-seeing eye symbol on the dollar bill is said to be a big clue.
The Latin words encircling the pyramid translate to “it has favoured our undertakings, new order of the ages.”
Some see those words as the announcement of a New World Order.
What conspiracy theories are there?
Nowadays, the Illuminati has become a name linked by conspiracy theorists to everything from the “faked” moon landings, the 9/11 terror attacks and the assassination of JFK.
It is said to be made up politicians, bankers, business moguls and high-profile celebrities.
On the extreme end of the spectrum, some conspiracy theorists such believe the group are a reptilian alien species who are attempting to control humanity.
What has former Canadian government minister Paul Hellyer said about the Illuminati?
Former defence minister of Canada Paul Hellyer has claimed the Illuminati is REAL and is secretly running the world – while making “trillions” from the oil industry.
Hellyer is believed to be the highest-profile politician to openly back the long-running conspiracy theory.
The 94-year-old said its wealthy members continue to wage needless wars and focus on profits, rather than helping the planet.
Hellyer told the Lazarus Effect podcast he believes the group has the technology to reverse the effects of climate change but won’t do so as many of its members are oil industry millionaires.
According to Hellyer, many of its wealthy members are heavily invested in the oil industry.
“You have a got secret cabal that’s actually running the world and they’ve managed to keep this technology under wraps until they can cash in the trillions of oil assets that they’ve got,” he said.
“And it’s not going to change until hundreds of thousands of people band together and say ‘look you’ve got to come clean, tell us what is going on, and change your priorities to save the world for further generations instead of blowing it on wars.'”
The ex minister, who is an infamous conspiracy theorist, also believes “at least four species of aliens” have been visiting Earth for decades claiming the authorities are constantly in discussions with extraterrestrial ambassadors.
Hellyer first spoke about his belief that aliens were on Earth in 1995, and since then has become an authoritative figure in the UFO community.
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