Great post, the part of the WT that irritated me was the 1919 claim backed by no scriptural support whatsoever!!
I wouldn't usually want to admit this, but I think those leaving the jws will understand, I was moved to give to a reputable charity today, first time in years. The last time I did it my extreme jw husband criticised me, saying we can only trust our money with the brothers. Yes it's just a drop in the ocean and maybe it's not hands-on help because I can't manage that right now, but what difference could it make if those 8 million people switched their time and donations to such charities! It made me realize as witnesses we are taught to distrust and look down on charitable work when those workers such as medicins sans frontier, Red Cross, oxfam etc should have our admiration for trying to alleviate some suffering now, just as you highlight in your post!
(btw on a side point, I skipped the meeting and went to the pool hahaha)