Introduction
In the Dan Brown thriller "Angels & Demons," Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon tries to prevent a modern-day resurgence of an ancient brotherhood called the Illuminati from carrying out its goal of destroying the Catholic Church. The real-world origins of the group trace back to Bavarian law professor Adam Weishaupt, who in 1776 established a group to free the world from the control of the church and, perhaps, establish a New World Order. That group is thought to have disbanded by 1790, though some theories suggest that the Illuminati continue to operate today. Click the "Next" arrow above to learn about six more organizations whose aims are cloaked in a veil of mystery and secrecy.
