Anonymity at Atheism Daily

Why We Write Under a Pen Name

You may have noticed that many posts on Atheism Daily carry a single byline or even no individual name at all, signed with ‘Atheism Daily Writer’ as the author. That’s intentional. We’re following a long tradition in journalism of anonymous authorship, much like The Economist. In fact, The Economist openly explains that it publishes each article “without bylines” so that the magazine can “speak as one collective voice” (It’s still widely respected as a leading newsmagazine – even called a “newspaper of record” in the UK) We take the same approach because what matters to us is the content of an article, not the name attached to it.

Key Reasons for Anonymity

  • Focus on ideas: By removing personal bylines, we keep the spotlight on arguments and information – not on personalities. As The Economist puts it, anonymity reflects the belief that “what is written is more important than who writes it.
  • A unified voice: Writing under one name helps our team speak with a single, consistent voice. Articles at Atheism Daily may be shaped by several contributors together (like a “hive mind” of writers). An anonymous byline reminds readers that each piece represents our collective view, not just one person’s opinion.
  • Protecting contributors: Above all, anonymity keeps our writers safe. In many parts of the world, speaking openly as an atheist can carry serious risks. For example, recent reports have documented that “atheists and humanists are facing discrimination and persecution in some countries”. In dozens of places it’s even illegal to be non-religious – 13 countries impose the death penalty for “blasphemy or apostasy,” and many others jail or punish atheists. By allowing writers to use a pen name, we enable them to discuss sensitive topics without endangering their livelihoods or families.

A Collective Voice, Not Ego

This idea of a collective voice comes straight from journalistic practice. As The Economist notes, anonymity “allows many writers to speak with a collective voice,” and it turns each article into the product of group discussion and heavy editing. We do that too: our editorial team meets to debate and refine every story. Keeping authors anonymous means readers focus on the reasoning and facts. It also prevents the “cult of personality” – readers aren’t distracted by who wrote it, and authors aren’t tempted to inject personal brand into the piece. In the words of a former Economist editor, anonymity makes the editor “not the master but the servant of something far greater than himself… it gives to the paper an astonishing momentum of thought and principle.” We agree: the goal is clarity of ideas, not ego.

Safety for Our Writers

We understand that readers might wonder if hiding names sounds secretive. We prefer to think of it as solidarity and safety. History and current events both show that Atheists can be a heavily persecuted group. For instance, a 2020 Humanists International report warned that in countries like Nigeria, Pakistan and others, atheist activists face arrests, vigilante violence, forced conversions or worse. Simply declaring oneself an Atheist can be dangerous – one activist said, “to speak out and say you’re an Atheist… can be dangerous” in Nigeria. Globally, watchdogs note that “the overwhelming majority” of UN member states still discriminate against non-believers, using blasphemy laws or social pressure to punish them. In light of this, our writers often use pen names so they can write honestly without fear of harassment or reprisals.

Quality and Accountability

Rest assured, anonymity doesn’t mean there’s no accountability. Behind every article is a real editor. All pieces on Atheism Daily are carefully reviewed and edited by our founder and editor-in-chief, Carey Martell, before they go live. Carey checks facts, sources, and arguments to make sure every story is accurate, clear, and fair. In other words, even if an article is signed “Atheism Daily Writer” or a pseudonym, it has passed through rigorous editorial hands. This ensures consistency in tone and reliability – no anonymous post ever leaves our site without meeting those standards.

We hope this makes sense of our style. Using a pen name is a conscious choice: it keeps the spotlight on the ideas, helps us speak as one team, and – most importantly – lets our contributors share candid thoughts without putting themselves at risk. Thank you for reading and understanding why we do things this way.