posted on Dec, 5 2007 @ 08:42 AM
Ok, I've translated the part I was talking about.
There may be errors and such, as I'm not the best at it, so sorry about that. :p
"As for most myths, there's also a core of truth when it comes to Illuminatus. The secret society did actually exist.
The leader, Adam Weishaupt (1748-1830) established the society he called Illuminati in Bavaria 1776. Four students showed up at the first meeting.
Later, the society was blamed by conspiracy thinkers for starting the French Revolution - it was claimed that they had a wish to take over the whole
of France and create a new world order.
Behind the rumors stood the counter-revolutionary writer Barruel, who saw his world come crashing down after the revolution. At the same time, a
Professor in Philosophy named Robison was trying to explain how the revolution came to be. Independently from each other, they came to the conclusion
that a big conspiracy was behind it. They then found their way to the revolutionary Adam Weishaupt, and placed him in the lead. After extensive
writings on the phenomen, an Illuminati panic broke out.
They meant that Adam Weishaupt started the French Revolution through his networks. He was tied to thousands of obedient disciples, he infiltrated, and
created hierarchies and lodges, according to the conspiracy thinkers.
In reality, it never went that far. Illuminati was originally a student's association. By the end of 1780, the society had 60 members. They were
engaged in mystics, enlightenment and ancient traditions. Weishaupt recruited a number of members from the Masons, and made progress.
Aristocrats and intellectuals from all of Germany joined. They had branches in foreign countries, even in Denmark-Norway, where there were about 10
members. At its largest the society had approximately 2500 members.
The organisation was odd. It was kept a secret, organized in hierarchies, with the use of pseudonyms and symbols. In Weishaupts writings you can read
about his aims for the ideal community, i.e. the "natural likeness" and "the golden age". He meant humans were incapable of ruling themselves, and
that they had to be educated and enlightened. The means of reaching the community he wanted were secret societies, Illuminatus. An elite of
enlightened were to spread freedom and likeness.
They were not able to keep it up very long. The movement fell apart in the 1780s, partially due to disputes on who was to be boss, partially due to
ideological differences.
The movement and all its alleged branches does not exist today. The historical Illuminatus was something completely different from the imaginary
secret society that has been kept alive to this day in conspiracy theories.
The deathblow came when Bavaria made any secret society illegal. The conservative government was provoked by the radical Illuminatus, who were
adversaries to both inherited privileges and organized religion. Members could be sentenced to death. This was followed by mass resignments, and the
remaining members were denounced by former members.
Weishaupt himself gave up and moved after getting fired from his job at the University.
In 1793 the society's activity ceased with the death of their last leader.
- Nothing suggests that operations went beyond a discussional stage, Soerensen writes in his book."