I think I see where you are going with this
CGL… Like a 16th century COINTELPRO? Infiltrate in order to sabotage.
Usually the Illuminati is seen as combating the Jesuits and it doesn’t seem like the idea of granting Masonic degrees occurred to Weishaupt in the
beginning. Although
if his task (his secret Jesuit mission) was to infiltrate the “masonic” movement, stir up trouble and get both orders
(Illuminati, Masons) banned in Bavaria. The plan succeeded.
However, at least publicly, and even at a young age, (1766) he found subjects that were taught as
undeniable truths in Jesuit dominated
theological college to be insupportable. So, as far as Ideologies goes, The Jesuits and Weishaupt were quite opposite. He was a radical. But that’s
exactly what a double agent would be expected to do, isn’t it?
He was deeply influence by his studies at the Jesuits College, and he did (as you pointed out) base the titles for his ranks on the Jesuit system.
General -> Provincial -> National -> Assistant
Weishaupt was of course, the
General.
Also, the studies at the
Novice degree roughly corresponded to the studies of the Jesuits college’s First degree.
At the
Minerval degree, the Illuminatus received lessons equivalent to the Jesuits college’s Second and Third degree.
Weishaupt’s mentor Ickstatt accused Weishaupt of still being in league with the Jesuits at the Ingolstadt University (Especially Prof. Stadler)
before the founding of the Illuminati.
After it’s creation, top members of the Illuminati constantly accused each-other of being under-cover Jesuits, for instance Baron de Knigge made
that very accusation against Weishaupt when the two were fighting over the Illuminati’s top spot.
Hope this helps, good luck with your theory...
[edit on 30/1/07 by ConspiracyNut23]