Hi Metatron: I agree with your point that an organization run mostly untrained and poorly educated individuals that engage in activities that are better served by skilled and trained professionals, are a liability accident waiting to happen. Today, more than ever, in our litigious society, the leaders of an organization who use such untrained and unprofessional support are taking a major risk. Whether one is paid professional or unpaid volunteer is not relevant to me. While religions are largely exempt from government interference and regulation ... they are increasingly being held liable in civil actions ... and this is where former JWs have the greatest chance of obtaining justice. I would prefer to see the Watchtower Society brought to its financial knees, than to see its leaders glorify themselves in jail.
I'm not so sure about all this. I don't have the experience of being a former elder or ms or even a babtised witness, but from what I've read here, it doesn't seem so different than a large corporation with multiple local operations or branches.
In large corporations, small branches have guide lines they must follow. The company can shield itself, somewhat, by having written policies on everything from customer service to empolyee break times. The larger the corporation, the more written policies. At some branches, the managers don't even have direct responsibilty over the branch employees.
The WTBTS is run like a business, not a religion. The only real difference is that they have volunteers, not employees, on the local level.
