FLIPPER,
You missed my post.
I also thought of another practical reason the religion is squashing any type of social gathering. Because they are losing people left and right and are losing money for various reasons, they feel their first order of business is to replace the lost people to some degree. This is a priority for them. This is about THEIR survival. They want to be able to live in bethel with all their needs taken care of for the rest of their lives. THEY certainly do not want to be told to pack their bags and get out! No way. So, they want the remaining JWs to constantly busy themselves in the almost fruitless public ministry in hopes that a few people, here and there, may be seduced into the religion.
While I am sure it is also about liability issues and a desire for control, I feel the biggest reason is their mad push to get more people keeping those seats warm.