Immediately following the dawn of the new year, the Khalifa Tower (the tallest man-made structure ever built) officially opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates in the main business district. The tower itself cost US$1.5 billion dollars to make and recreating downtown Dubai cost an extra US$20 billion. In 2007, Dubai was considered the economic capital of the world. Recently in 2010 however, the completion of the tower coincided with a global economic slump and overbuilding, calling for a bank bailout in order to maintain stability in global economic recovery. (CNN Money)
1 "And the whole earth was of one language, and of one speech. 2 And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. 3 And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them thoroughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for mortar. 4 And they said, Go to, let us build us a city, and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. 5 And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded. 6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do. 7 Go to, let us go down, and there confound their language, that they may not understand one another's speech. 8 So the LORD scattered them abroad from thence upon the face of all the earth: and they left off to build the city. 9 Therefore is the name of it called Babel; because the LORD did there confound the language of all the earth: and from thence did the LORD scatter them abroad upon the face of all the earth. -Genesis 11:1-9
"Freemasonry is the oldest and largest world wide fraternity dedicated to the Brotherhood of Man under the Fatherhood of a Supreme Being. Although of a religious nature, Freemasonry is not a religion. It urges its members, however, to be faithful and devoted to their own religious beliefs.
The organization of Freemasonry is based on a system of Grand Lodges, each sovereign within its own territory. There is no central authority governing all Grand Lodges. However, to be acknowledged by others, acceptable traditions, standards and practices must be maintained." (Grandlodge).So, basically, Freemasonry is just the oldest fraternity. Freemasonry, in and of itself, is not a bad thing at all and is a collection of powerful men above the age of 21 with various religious backgrounds coming together in the good name of brotherhood, charity and progression. But much like any group, whether it be religious or political, it's the extremist sects that branch from the ideas of a group that warrant any concern.
"As far as history can suggest, Illuminati groups from Europe were some of the more advanced thinkers of the time period, reflecting humanism philosophy emerging at the time. They were opposed to power exerted by churches and by the nobility. The organization, as a secret society, was illegal. During its early years, this secret society may have had as many as 10 branches in Europe and 2000 members drawn from the intellectuals in Europe. According to historical sources, the Illuminati fell apart by 1795.This is when speculation and conspiracy theory steps in to lend a hand. Conspiracy theorists assert that the Illuminati still exists today and has extraordinary influence over governments. One thing considered “evidence” of existence is the presence of the eye on the pyramid of a one US dollar (USD) bill. And most conspiracy beliefs held about the Illuminati consider the order as largely influential on the Freemasons.
Some believe that key members in the early formation of the US government, like Thomas Jefferson, and Ben Franklin were members of the Illuminati, and that the group continues to influence world government. It is suggested that the Illuminati have taken an active role in most major events in history. Some theorists allege that certain Presidents and members of the British monarchy are Illuminati members.
The Illuminati has recently gained some popularity with the Dan Brown novel Angels and Demons. Brown is most recognizable as the author of The Da Vinci Code. He takes the Illuminati on as a subject of interest, suggesting that all major scientific thinkers from the Age of Reason onward have been secret Illuminati members.
Brown depicts a constant war between the Illuminati and the Roman Catholic Church, outlining the conflict between not only Atheism and Christianity but also specifically science and religion. His work, which many acknowledge advances conspiracy theories about the group, suggest the Illuminati is still in existence and in continued warfare with the Vatican. Brown also intimates that the Illuminati have infiltrated every powerful political organization, and is largely composed of the world’s scientific community.
Understand that the Illuminati is a group concerned with power and knowledge. Though it's believed that the Illuminati are no longer in existence, many think the opposite. Stars, like Jay-Z and Madonna, subtly and not-so-subtly allude to the group all the time. We being the second wave of the MTV generation are generally highly influenced by media and popular culture. The entertainment industry is the biggest reflection of a slowly corrupting culture. What do you think?Nonfiction works have made the same contention as Brown’s, that the Illuminati still exists today and is in constant battle with the Catholic Church. Some theorists believe that the Illuminati work toward establishing a New World Order and have influenced most world events in the 20th century. What can be verified is that there are several groups calling themselves Illuminati in the 20th century, based on the principles of the Bavarian and European groups. These include the German Ordo Illuminatorum, the Grand Lodge Rockefeller in the USA, and the Spanish Orden Illuminati" (Wise Geek).
"Illuminati wants my mind soul and body? Secret society, tryna keep their eye on me"-Jay-Z
