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Falsely claiming masonic membership?

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Bill Lins

Moderating Staff
Staff Member
It is possible, within England, to face a charge of false misrepresentation. If you say you are something and are not, in English law, it is illegal.
In this country, one has to prove an intent to commit fraud. Simple misrepresentation by itself is not enough.
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
In this country, one has to prove an intent to commit fraud. Simple misrepresentation by itself is not enough.
That is why most Stolen Valor Cases never get prosecuted. Even the ones that you have on camera talking about well Im Sgt maj So-inSo and you better speak to me as such. Unless you can prove that they represented themselves as a member of the Military, or in the case of this discussion a Mason, falsely with a direct intent to defraud someone, like the case of the person who wore a military uniform on Black Friday in order to attempt to get a military discount on top of the already discounted prices, you cant do anything.
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
That is why most Stolen Valor Cases never get prosecuted. Even the ones that you have on camera talking about well Im Sgt maj So-inSo and you better speak to me as such. Unless you can prove that they represented themselves as a member of the Military, or in the case of this discussion a Mason, falsely with a direct intent to defraud someone, like the case of the person who wore a military uniform on Black Friday in order to attempt to get a military discount on top of the already discounted prices, you cant do anything.
I cannot tell you to take 'em out back and thump 'em.
 

Dontrell Stroman

Premium Member
I heard years ago a person that impersonated to be a freemason had problems. Maybe a PH thing, I don't know

Sent from my 831C using My Freemasonry Pro mobile app
 

The Traveling Man

Registered User
I ran into a true cowan on Facebook the other day. He was on a Masonic page looking for Brothers in TX. A few Brothers chimed in. I noticed his wording implied he may not be a Mason, despite his default pic being the S&C so I spoke on it. He changed his pic immediately. He said he wasn't a Mason. I don't know why but I decided to check out his page. He had lots of symbology on his page. Then I run across a pic of him wearing a Masonic pendant. Then it got worse and I found a pic of his tattoo, a big S&C on his arm. So I question him and he says he isn't a Mason but he represents it. WHAT!?? The conversation took a turn for the worse. He got defensive and said he doesn't have to explain himself because he only answers to God. . . Only thing worse than a Clandestine Mason is a person who has no ties at all trying to deceive people. I went from wanting to help him find a Lodge to telling him there's no place in Masonry for a person like him. He ended up leaving the group.
 

TonyStarks357

Registered User
I ran into a true cowan on Facebook the other day. He was on a Masonic page looking for Brothers in TX. A few Brothers chimed in. I noticed his wording implied he may not be a Mason, despite his default pic being the S&C so I spoke on it. He changed his pic immediately. He said he wasn't a Mason. I don't know why but I decided to check out his page. He had lots of symbology on his page. Then I run across a pic of him wearing a Masonic pendant. Then it got worse and I found a pic of his tattoo, a big S&C on his arm. So I question him and he says he isn't a Mason but he represents it. WHAT!?? The conversation took a turn for the worse. He got defensive and said he doesn't have to explain himself because he only answers to God. . . Only thing worse than a Clandestine Mason is a person who has no ties at all trying to deceive people. I went from wanting to help him find a Lodge to telling him there's no place in Masonry for a person like him. He ended up leaving the group.


Someone who wears our emblems should KNOW that they will be approached by a brother in public. A lot of these eavesdroppers won't wear anything publicly, but some will. I've taken a ring or three from some false advertisers. It's crazy how these same people are too scared or simply unwilling to go through what it takes to be a MM. I live in Colorado now, but PHA don't play in Texas, nor D.C. Some people are just trying to hide behind our symbols to achieve some unknown purpose, but they assume the symbols give them status. Sad.
 

Elexir

Registered User
Someone who wears our emblems should KNOW that they will be approached by a brother in public. A lot of these eavesdroppers won't wear anything publicly, but some will. I've taken a ring or three from some false advertisers. It's crazy how these same people are too scared or simply unwilling to go through what it takes to be a MM. I live in Colorado now, but PHA don't play in Texas, nor D.C. Some people are just trying to hide behind our symbols to achieve some unknown purpose, but they assume the symbols give them status. Sad.

And how do you know that he is a brother?
 

Glen Cook

G A Cook
Site Benefactor
Someone who wears our emblems should KNOW that they will be approached by a brother in public. A lot of these eavesdroppers won't wear anything publicly, but some will. I've taken a ring or three from some false advertisers. It's crazy how these same people are too scared or simply unwilling to go through what it takes to be a MM. I live in Colorado now, but PHA don't play in Texas, nor D.C. Some people are just trying to hide behind our symbols to achieve some unknown purpose, but they assume the symbols give them status. Sad.
And just how did you take the ring?
 

Ripcord22A

Site Benefactor
I've taken a ring or three from some false aadvertisers.
Uhhhh NO! Just because hes wearing a ring doesnt mean hes "false advertising" and even if he is its not illegal to, except in some states, but in all states its illegal to take(steal) something from another! Very unmasonic! Amd if i was in your jurisdiction I would report you to your WM, Wardens and DDGM!


Sent from my LG-H918 using My Freemasonry mobile app
 

TonyStarks357

Registered User
And just how did you take the ring?

I asked them to give it to me, and they did. I don't know where or how some of you brothers handle things. But I was raised a certain way, and things were done a certain way. At the end of the day, once I give the profane a full explanation of what he is doing by wearing that ring, they give it to me. Always. Besides, my masonry is not for play. Maybe I joined the wrong site because I sense a lot of sensitivity reading through these forums.
 

TonyStarks357

Registered User
Uhhhh NO! Just because hes wearing a ring doesnt mean hes "false advertising" and even if he is its not illegal to, except in some states, but in all states its illegal to take(steal) something from another! Very unmasonic! Amd if i was in your jurisdiction I would report you to your WM, Wardens and DDGM!


Sent from my LG-H918 using My Freemasonry mobile app

I can respect your opinion. However, You obviously don't have ANY idea about who you're talking to, and it wouldn't make a difference WHO you went and "reported" me to in my District. 22 years in the craft, young man. Anyone you would have or want to go and "talk" to would know why it was taken. Besides, the violator always, ALWYAS gave it to me, after I explained why they should not wear it. Maybe you consider Masonry your country club, but there are MANY places in this country where it would not be wise to wear Masonic regalia and you're NOT a Mason. I'm still at a crossroads about the whole, "I would report you..." statement. Lol.
 
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