Why We Post Anonymously

The organization discusses its own reasons for anonymity in the Questions from Readers in the October 1, 1959 Watchtower, pp. 607, 608. We have similar reasons and more.

Let All Praise Go to Jehovah

During the time that the author's name was on the site, people were praising him for his wisdom. This was very uncomfortable. Even after posting anonymously, people still enquire after the author's name in order to praise him. This is not right. If we have wisdom, it is because Jehovah has taught it to us. But if they knew what sort of men that they seek to praise, they would despise the authors and their words, not because of great sin, but because they are just men. We are sinners. We neither crave praise nor are comfortable with it. Let all glory go to Jehovah. Both authors here agreed to this arrangement because they shared the same feelings.

So our primary goal is to avoid letting glory go to men, as many have a tendency to elevate men as great for their knowledge or wisdom. Even Solomon was known far and wide for his wisdom, as is evidenced by the queen of Sheba coming to visit him to hear his wisdom. (1Ki 10:1-3) This, however, brought glory to Jehovah as many heard about his wisdom in connection with Jehovah.

Our Word Is Not From Jehovah

However, we cannot claim our word as coming from Jehovah because we are not prophets or kings. All we are trying to do here is to snatch our brothers out of the fire by clarifying their thoughts and cleansing them from Satan's poison.

We Are Not Appointed

Solomon was the king and leader of Jehovah's people and his wisdom attracted others to his people. We  know the names of the apostles and Paul because Jesus hand-picked them and they served as  those taking the lead in the congregation just as we know the names of the governing body today. Deborah, Isaiah, Jeremiah and Ezekiel also had some fame, but not because of their own wisdom, but because they were prophets of Jehovah, delivering the words of Jehovah. Many names are recorded in the Bible in order to learn important scriptural lessons from them and to set as examples that Jehovah wants us to follow. They did not appoint themselves.

We are not prophets, kings, leading Jehovah's people, or currently set as examples by God. We have no right or reason to let our names gain fame, especially if it would have any chance of competing with those who do have the right, or diminish Jehovah's fame.

The Information Should Stand On Its Own

We also seek to let the information speak for itself. If it is not true, then anyone would be able to challenge it with things that are true instead of it. We make correction any time the information is incorrect, and have even pulled articles that were not correct in their premise or which demonstrated an improper spirit. But we would not want anyone to believe or not believe the articles just because our names are attached to it.

Avoid Unnecessary Harassment

Our anonymity also serves to avoid unnecessary persecution. There are people out there who wish to know our names so that they can do us harm. One disgruntled former member attempted this just months after I made the site anonymous. But because it was anonymous, he was unable to succeed.

So there are many reasons to publish anonymously, and only improper reasons for us to give our names.