Is freemasonry relevant today?

In the eyes of many, freemasonry is a closed and secretive organisation with little relevance to modern society.

Although all freemasons share a philanthropic outlook, in reality there are different forms of freemasonry, some of which - mainly outside the UK - are proactively committed to the improvement of society along humanist and secular principles.

This is defined in the constitutions of The Grand Orient de France: "Freemasonry is opposed to all dogmatic statements, considering metaphysical matters to be the sole concern of its individual members. It considers secularism as a most important principle."

The Grand Orient de France embodies the freemasonry tradition while welcoming free men holding religious beliefs alongside agnostic and atheist masons.

Members meet in private and cultivate bonds of brotherhood, but central to these meetings is the study and discussion of human issues in modern society.

As such I beg to differ with Fr Peter Serracino Inglott's comments about The Grand Orient de France, its relevance and position on religion.