Masonic Education: Are the Illuminati Real?

This Masonic education post will focus on “Secret Societies” and their so-called “connection” with Freemasonry.

In 1776, the Bavarian Illuminati, or so-called “Secret Society”, was started by law professor Adam Weishaupt.  The Illuminati was formed to teach secular philosophy, and shine a light on the shortcomings of the Catholic Church and its ideology.

It is recorded that Weishaupt also joined the Freemasons, modeled the organization of the Illuminati using aspects of Freemasonry, and recruited from Masonic ranks.

In time, both government (and the church) began to fear the Illuminati, due to their influence with the affluent, and those who ranked high in both church and government. The movement suffered from internal dissension and was ultimately banned by an edict of the Bavarian government in 1785. Some members were imprisoned, while others were driven from their homes. Weishaupt was stripped of his chair and banished from Bavaria. For all intents and purposes, the Illuminati thereafter ceased to exist.

Is the Illuminati affiliated with Masonry? No.  And yet it did copy aspects of Masonry and recruit from its ranks. This was most likely due to Masonry being organized in a very successful way, and at the time, many of that periods most successful leaders were also Masons. If your intention is to enlighten the world, then drawing from Masonic ranks would have been (in the eyes of many who are Masons today) an obvious organization to recruit from!

For an excellent introduction into the Illuminati, watch the 5 minute video below.

Additional Masonic Resources: