The Illuminati

From 2000 to 2009 speculations of the government-formed “Illuminati” often circulated the streets and the media. Teens tweeting their hypotheses for who might possibly be in this select group became the talk of the Internet, spanning the entire decade and continues today Even with a quick search of the topic on Twitter, there are 90 results in the past minute alone.

While these conspiracies may have gotten out of hand in nature, the Illuminati was actually real at one point in time. In 1776, a group of aristocrats and educated men formed the Order of Illuminati in Bavaria, Germany. The group conversed regarding their mutual opposition to the Roman Catholic Church. Adam Weishaupt, a German philosopher who is speculated to have started the original Illuminati group, wanted to be a Freemason, one that spreads the teachings of the immortal soul and a supreme being that rules over all, but did not have sufficient financial resources. People say he went on to start his own society instead. While the group started with five individuals it grew dramatically. These secret societies became a legal crime, one punishable by death, ending the Illuminati….or did it?

Despite the original group forcibly being shut down, Illuminati-linked groups formed, making it impossible to catch all of the subgroups connected to the one topic sweeping nations worldwide. Modern theorists believe the Illuminati is ongoing-this time aiming to create a “New World Order” with the government in complete control of the country’s inhabitants.

According to these beliefs members of the Illuminati spread out to brainwash society through all forms of content, movies, government, music, etc. This plan would mean the government is secretly planning out how to become a totalitarian state without the public even noticing

People often question the Illuminati’s presence in events that appear to be unexpected, unexplained, or underreported. Examples of these include Tupac, Micheal Jackson, John F. Kennedy, and Princess Diana’s deaths, as well as the 9/11 attack, but the list goes on and on.

Demonic and satanic symbols often are linked to references to the Illuminati, such as burning crosses present in Madonna’s “Like A Prayer” music video and Beyoncé being hung upside down representing human sacrifice at the 2003 VMA’s. Symbols like a snake also have come to represent the Illuminati. Justin Bieber, Britney Spears, and Rihanna have all been spotted with this animal, leading to claims that they partake in the group.

Building on this, certain hand signals have been connected to the Illuminati, such as one’s pointer finger and thumb pressed together making an “OK” sign and a pyramid formation with both hands that looks like a triangle.

While the topic still surfaces in the media today, many sources have debunked this debate with concrete evidence. In each situation speculated to be started by the Illuminati, photos and witnesses have been used to shut down these false claims. Even if it’s not true, it’s understandable why people worry about this. With the government having an extreme supply of money and power, there’s no telling how quickly the citizens of one nation could just as easily become prisoners to those in these positions.