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The '''Illuminati''' are believed to have been a subversive organization, allegedly founded in [[Bavaria]], [[Germany]] 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.   

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.   

Conspiracy theorists think the appearance of the eye overlooking a pyramid (the so-called "Eye of Providence"), a symbol of Freemasonry since 1797 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.  However, amongst them only [[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> (Franklin was also a member of the [[Lunar Society]]).

Some conspiracy theorists think 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.  However, amongst them only [[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 historians also maintain that an unfinished pyramid has never been a Masonic emblem.

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