As more and more conspiracy theories pop up, people are left to wonder if there is a nefarious plot behind the origin of these theories. One major conspiracy that attempts to explain the presence of others is the Illuminati. 

The group that calls itself the Illuminati does have some historical accuracy. In its origin in the 18th century, the Illuminati was simply a group of people who associated themselves with republican free thought in Bavaria, led by Adam Weishaupt. Even though the Bavarian Illuminati did not last through the ages, the group has morphed several times and subgroups were created. 

From Bavaria to Spain to France, the Illuminati has spread across the globe. In the United States, the Illuminati made an appearance as far back as 1801, when Thomas Jefferson was elected as the President. Many people believe that the Illuminati is how Jefferson was elected into office. 

From famous celebrities to elected political officials, more and more people are being accused of being members of this elite society every day. Some of the celebrities that are most referenced as members of the Illuminati include Beyoncé, Jay Z, Kim Kardashian, Kanye West and LeBron James. 

Today’s Illuminati is significantly different from the Bavarian Illuminati from the 18th century. The original Illuminati formed as a way to express beliefs in a culture that believed the exact opposite. The Illuminati today is thought to regulate various aspects of the world. They can control the media and secretly run the government. By doing these things, they will create a New World Order, which members of the Illuminati will lead. 

The New World Order is a separate conspiracy theory in and of itself. The main idea is that the New World Order will one day be a totalitarian government that will run the entire world, not just one singular country. 

While both conspiracy theories seem to be far-fetched, there are so many references in pop culture that people are starting to believe the New World Order and the Illuminati are more than just conspiracy theories. 

Most recently in Marvel’s “Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness,” the Illuminati makes an appearance. Spoilers ahead for those who have not seen the movie. In order to defeat the Scarlet Witch, Doctor Strange goes to Earth-838, where he meets various characters in the MCU who make up the Illuminati. From a pop culture standpoint, this is a completely innocent reference. If the Illuminati and the New World Order end up being real, then Marvel may have some explaining to do. 

Another sub-theory that came out of the belief in the existence of the New World Order is the theories behind the true purpose of the Denver Airport. Opening in 1995, the airport has found itself to be the center of various theories. The biggest theory behind the airport is the thought that the airport is more than just an airport, it is home to an underground bunker that will be used when the world comes to an end, specifically for the New World Order to use. If the New World Order and the Illuminati truly are the ones making any and all decisions for society, then they need somewhere to go when the end of times inevitably comes. 

Whether or not there is a secret society making choices for the world, this is certainly an interesting theory. It could explain many different aspects of life, and why things happen the way they do. From the historical impact of the Illuminati to the influence it has had on pop culture, the Illuminati’s stretch has almost no limit, and will more than likely continue to impact culture for the foreseeable future.