Each candidate must be of good report to enter the lodge. A background check is conducted and an interview with the candidate and his significant other is conducted so everyone is comfortable in the process. Once voted into the lodge, he begins the degree process, see Self Improvement. To be a better man, we teach moral principles of society.
The best place to learn morals is through stories presented in the Old Testament or Hebrew Bible. These are basic stories that all people, regardless of faith, may agree are societal virtues. The best way to learn a story is through plays and the best way to learn a play is by being a member of the cast. The candidate is the main character in the play, but is assisted by a conductor along the way. You may have heard of someone who is a 32nd degree mason, Shriner or Knight Templar, they all started as a Master Mason, and have added other educational opportunities and followed additional paths.
