On Online Anonymity

A sometimes necessary (but never should be) evil

This originally appeared as an X thread on March 16, 2024, as a quote tweet to this post by Matthew Everhard.

A harsh reality that many in Christian institutions don't understand is that these days most people risk losing their jobs, kids, freedom, etc. by engaging truthfully in public discourse. And there's lots of people working overtime to make sure they lose all those things.

I don't operate anonymously but at this point I don't blame anyone who does. There's a long history of important and meaningful pseudonymous discourse when the stakes were much lower even than they are now. If you want to "real talk," know what people really face.

Now, to the anons, don't use your anonymity as a cover for evil. Just because your identity and motives are not known to your fellow man does not mean they are not known to God. You have an audience of One.

But within those parameters, carry on.