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The '''Illuminati''' are believed to have been a subversive splinter from [[Freemasonry]], allegedly founded in [[Bavaria]] by [[Adam Weishaupt]] in the 1700s.  Their goal was believed to be to take over [[Europe]] (and the rest of the world) and establish a [[one-world government]], while abolishing organized [[religion]]. The Illuminati were said to have been officially disbanded in 1785 by the government of [[Bavaria]], and there is little evidence that they have survived into the modern day. Compare [[Bogomil: Bogomilism|Bogomils]]

The '''Illuminati''' are believed to have been a subversive splinter from [[Freemasonry]], allegedly founded in [[Bavaria]] by [[Adam Weishaupt]] in the 1700s.  Their goal was believed to be to take over [[Europe]] (and the rest of the world) and establish a [[one-world government]], while abolishing organized [[religion]]. The Illuminati were said to have been officially disbanded in 1785 by the government of [[Bavaria]], and there is little evidence that they have survived into the modern day. Compare [[Bogomil: Bogomilism|Bogomils]]

Some people consider the appearance of the eye atop an unfinished pyramid (the so-called "Eye of Providence"), which appears on the back of the US one-[[dollar (U.S.)|dollar]] bill,<ref>http://www.msana.com/eyeinpyramid.asp</ref> means the [[Founding Fathers]] were Illuminati operatives or sympathizers.  And in fact, amongst them [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[John Hancock]], [[John Paul Jones]], and [[George Washington]] were Freemasons,<ref>[http://www.watch.pair.com/mason.html] THE MASONIC FOUNDATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES</ref> and all of them were members of regular Masonic lodges. (Franklin was also a member of the [[Lunar Society]].)  Masonic self-proclaimed historians also maintain that an unfinished pyramid would have never been a Masonic emblem. In addition, George Washington publicly condemned and denounced "the nefarious, and dangerous plan, and doctrines of the Illuminati...." when an attempted revolution by French Man Edward Genet failed.<ref>https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/history/item/4660-a-primer-on-the-illuminati</ref> Many conservatives also believe they were behind the [[French Revolution]] as well.

Some people consider the appearance of the eye atop an unfinished pyramid (the so-called "Eye of Providence"), which appears on the back of the US one-[[dollar (U.S.)|dollar]] bill,<ref>http://www.msana.com/eyeinpyramid.asp</ref> means the [[Founding Fathers]] were Illuminati operatives or sympathizers.  And in fact, amongst them [[Benjamin Franklin]], [[John Hancock]], [[John Paul Jones]], and [[George Washington]] were Freemasons,<ref>[http://www.watch.pair.com/mason.html] THE MASONIC FOUNDATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES</ref> and all of them were members of regular Masonic lodges. (Franklin was also a member of the [[Lunar Society]].)  Masonic self-proclaimed historians also maintain that an unfinished pyramid would have never been a Masonic emblem. In addition, George Washington publicly condemned and denounced "the nefarious, and dangerous plan, and doctrines of the Illuminati...." when an attempted revolution by French Man Edward Genet failed.<ref>https://www.thenewamerican.com/culture/history/item/4660-a-primer-on-the-illuminati</ref> Many people also believe they were behind the [[French Revolution]] as well.

== History ==

== History ==