This is a phrase, which has been around for some time. It really does say much about 'the Craft' (as Freemasonry is sometimes called) in that the selection process does not condone making members of 'bad' men. Those whose behavior is scandalous, those with an unsavory past, those who think only of themselves are those who would not be welcomed into its ranks.

Does Freemasonry have programs or formal programs to further this? No, not particularly. Such betterment comes through the association with others who are seeking to be good and do better in their daily lives. The rituals of becoming a member, while not identical from Grand Lodge to Grand Lodge, have a commonality of purpose: to impart upon the mind of the initiate that there is a good to be done in the world and that putting aside one's 'lesser self' can serve to benefit all. Many Masonic writers wax poetic about the 'lessons of Freemasonry' in the context of religion or service to community and yet, such things are - for the most part - unstated in the Masonic rituals. Reference, in many cases, is a small part of an evening, which doesn't occur at each meeting and yet, we as Masons come to understand and accept their siren call as appealing to our higher nature. We WANT to do good, to be better. With little encouragement, we can and do because it's part of our being even if we didn't fully realize that when we joined.

Freemasonry does not - despite the rants of some of its detractors - have some over-arching plan for world domination. If we had, we've done a pretty darn poor job in achieving it over these past 300+ years and there's not much hope of doing better! Nor does Freemasonry want to supercede or supplant religion - of any stripe. Such charges are ludicrous on their face. If Freemasonry were as powerful in those arenas as anti-Masons would have you believe, why hasn't it succeeded in its aims? Is it that the hidden internet identities or those ranting in the park have actually held so much sway that Freemasonry was afraid of making a move? Hardly.... The simple fact is that they are wrong and that Freemasonry's sole reason for being is to allow men to come together to enjoy the friendship and fraternity of like-minded individuals.