The term ‘Illuminati’ has been used in numerous contexts and has been given to a variety of individuals or groups. Originally chosen as a name by a 18th century European secret society, the modern Illuminati is a wholly different creature than the Bavarian Illuminati. Today, Illuminati is commonly used as a blanket term to describe the power elite, a relatively small group of plutocrats who collectively own and rule our world. The exact number of people making up this group and how much control and influence they have over worldly affairs is difficult to determine, but the existence of the ruling class itself is widely accepted on both ends of the political spectrum. This highly organized superclass works towards their own common interests whether they be for the betterment of society or not. This shadowy group is at the core of all modern Illuminati conspiracy theories. The group resonates with what the Occupy movement, a grass root organization born in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, calls the One Percent. Christian fundamentalists and UFO profiteers often add their own twists, including Satan worship and blood sacrifices, making use of the term Illuminati ambiguous. I have examined some of the most popular conspiracy theories surrounding the Illuminati and look at their similarities and their differences. But first… WHAT WAS THE BAVARIAN ILLUMINATI?

TheThe Bavarian Illuminati was a secret society founded by Adam Weishaupt in 1776.
Dismayed with the Jesuit’s dominance in Bavaria, Weishaupt founded the order to secretly spread the ideas of Enlightenment within the confines of a highly restrictive society without any freedoms of speech or religion. By 1785, the Leader of Bavaria Karl Theodore had issued his first edict against the order eventually putting an end to the Bavarian Illuminati. The modern use for the term Illuminati has little resemblance to Weishaupt’s Illuminati. Prominent members include Queen Elizabeth; most US Presidents including Barack Obama,
George W. Bush, George HW Bush and Bill Clinton; the Pope and the entire Vatican apparatus including the Supreme General if the Jesuits, the Black Pope. The Rothschild and
Rockefeller dynasties always have a prevalent role in Illuminati conspiracy theories, sometimes as direct rivals, sometimes as partners in the enslavement of mankind. The Illuminati is especially active in the music industry. Most popular singers have at one time or another been labeled as belonging to the Illuminati or being puppets of the Illuminati. Jay­Z,

Kanye West, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Michael Jackson, the Beatles have all been accused of involvement with the Illuminati. Popular celebrities are often accused of selling their souls to the devil or joining the Illuminati.
When a celebrity dies, (ie. Michael Jackson) it was invariably caused by the illuminati. There is no consensus on the group’s activities, motives and methods or even on who (or what) heads the secretive group. The Rothschilds and the Rockefellers are always staples in any Illuminati conspiracy, but their control and portions of the world’s wealth varies greatly from one conspiratorial model to the next. Here are some of the most popular contenders for the top spot:

THE DEVIL
In Christian fundamentalist Illuminati conspiracy, Satan is the major antagonistic force. The
Illuminati’s ultimate purpose is to serve Satan. With this purpose in mind they place subliminal messages and insert Illuminati symbols in Hollywood movies, television and music. By exposing us to vivid violence and bombarding us with explicit sexual images they are desensitizing humanity and paving the way for the coming of the Anti­Christ. (there are some variations of this theme)

REPTILIAN OVERLORDS
Proponents of this theory claim the Illuminati are composed of Reptilian aliens from Alpha
Draconis. We are unable to see them because they