I have a nuanced and probably controversial opinion on the different secret societies that have arisen throughout history. I'd appreciate any feedback or opposing views. A few thoughts:
1) "The Illuminati" is kind of a dumb summation of varying global elites. Hearing the term reminds me of like 2004 or something. Are we talking about Adam Weishaupt and the Bavarian Illuminati? I've complained before that, although I do understand the intention and use similar descriptions myself, non-specific designations can take away from pinpointing who the true criminals are. In many ways their (supposed) religious leanings are irrelevant.
2) Secret societies (fraternal organizations) have been around for millennia. If we're to take the stories of the NT at their word, Jesus and his disciples formed a secret society. Sufism is an offshoot of Islam that has special orders, initiation rites, and private teachings set aside from the masses. I could go on with examples of fraternal organizations in every continent but my point is their purpose isn't always nefarious.
3) An interesting fact is that Freemasonry and other European orders were ONLY accessible to those in power. Politicians, academics, financiers, military elites, etc. It's natural there would be distrust from common Church going folks who were never privy to the secret philosophy of the ruling class. The difference today is we have every known piece of information at our fingertips. Rosicricianism, Kabbalah, Alchemy, Occult, Hermeticism... their texts are displayed wide open to all but funny enough people would rather idolize these groups and their "mysterious power" instead of actually finding out what they were on to.
4) Knowledge can dispel anxiety. By studying at least the basics of the history of these groups I think their mystique fades. Such understanding can free us from their invisible grip on our imagination. For those with an appreciation for mathematics, astronomy, world religion, language, etc. there's something be gained from teachings representative of universal truth. "As above, so below" is not some demonic incantation. Read the Lord's Prayer: "ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN". As William Cooper said the (miraculous) system of numbers, letters, sounds, colors, etc. encoded in Kabbalah must predate Jewish scribes of the 13th century. Learning of the innumerable cults who worshiped Wisdom or the astrological symbology that was acknowledged at a time by all nations from Egypt across to India... I don't see the harm. In fact I wonder if mankind is actually degrading into an age of illiteracy where we lack a base to form objective criticism.
Or "ITz all the ILLuMinatEE"