DiscussMormonism.com

I admire those who openly use their actual name on message boards focused on Mormonism. I sometimes want to do it myself but I fear the backlash. For one, I know that I would likely get crushed by local Church leaders if they knew my cafeteria/ethnic/NOM style. Second, I imagine the Will Shriverlesyers of the world can do damage via the world wide web.

Have any of you fellow posters thought about using your actual name? If you have used your real name have you suffered?

What I use is close enough to my real name that anyone who knows me would guess who malkie is - especially since the Ward/city information I give is accurate.

I've been inactive so long I doubt that anyone cares.

People who use their real names on message boards are morons.

John Larsen wrote:People who use their real names on message boards are morons.

lol, hope the podcast is going well. I will have to catch-up on some of the shows.

There is always the chance you are placing yourself in harms way by breaking anonymity. Look at the threats and retribution used against Mr. Crockett by using his real name. The irony is that he sought to implore others to put themselves in the same harms way by using their own real identity. You never can tell when someone will carry perceived religious slights to the extreme and forget about turning the other cheek.

I have been using my real name on these boards for years.

To be honest, I think that those of us who do use our real names display a great deal of courage, strength, and integrity that is often lacking by the many who hide behind their cowardly board names.

Just my take.

Peace,
Ceeboo :)

After you have the fine experience of threats by someone unhinged by a post or three and have to call in the Feds and file formal complaints to get it stopped you will get some advice from them: "Only idiots use their real name and ID information on internet forums."

I think it's just a matter of personal safety. Especially in these forums where anyone can view. I don't need some obsessive perv stalking me! *well, maybe if he's hot* It's not like I have a plain name or anything like "John Larsen", that many people are called. My last name is rare and I'm the only person I'm aware of with it. And I'm sure it's just the illusion of personal safety, as there are probably "behind the scenes" way of finding out who a person is. Not really "backlash", I'm nobody important in the church, and I'm no different online than I am in real life, so my reputation has nothing to do with anything, I wouldn't lose family or friends that I haven't already lost to my ex position with the church.

I'm not completely anonymous though. Some of you here know my real name. Hopefully, contained to that circle of trust, but I realize it's a risk.

Using your real name on a message board.

The good:

1. It's easier to build up credibility and trust with the communities you post in.
2. You're more likely to get offers for other types of publicity and writing work if you carry out your activities under your real name.
3. People cannot accuse you of being an "anonymous coward" and only saying the things you say because you're free from accountability.
4. You're immune to being irritated by people who live to "out" anonymous posters.

The bad:

1. Easier for creepy people to stalk you.
2. Your real-life friends and family may Google you, so you'd better either not talk about them or be prepared to deal with it if they do.
3. Some people may attempt to use your online behavior to cause problems in other areas of your life, whether you deserve it or not.
4. It's easier for people to ad hominem you.

I've only known one blogger who was disciplined by the church for his online posting activity, unless the rumors concerning John Dehlin being up for church discipline are true. That would make two.

On the other hand, C. L. Hanson has been blogging about having sex in the BYU library for years and can't get anyone to excommunicate her to save her life.

Ludwig is my nickname everywhere.

Ludwig is the german version of my baptismal/given name. I can not use the expression "first name", because we write the family name first.

If anybody (native english...) try to pronounce Lajos, four of the five letter will be pronounced wrong. Only the "L" can be correct...

The "M" is standing for my family name, which is full of hungarian accented letters, unpronounceable (is there such word?) by english speakers.

Family members, coworkers and the ward of my wife can identify me as Ludwig. I don't care. I am Ludwig.

You can identify me by my avatar, too. The lion is british...

John Larsen wrote:People who use their real names on message boards are morons.

Thank You.