@VH,
One of the main complaints about God is that he allows sin. Many erroneously conclude that there must not be a God, or at least one who cares. It is more accurate to say that God allows (even created) "Free Will".
The existence of sin or evil proves that free will is very real. But what to do about the consequences of sin?
1. Ignore it?
2. Punish it ?
3. Prevent it?
To ignore sin is to enable sin. God is not an enabler.
To prevent sin is to prevent Free Will. God loves freedom. "Where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
To punish sin is to promote containment of evil, and yet preserve/protect/promote freedom for the innocent.
Enter - Grace. Grace restores relationship through the instrumentality of substitution. It is the kryptonite for sin. Real relationships are two-way enterprises. In Grace, there is the one extending it and the one receiving it. Where sin breaks relationship, grace restores it.
If someone doesn't want Gods grace and vicarious payment of their sin, then they must pay for their sins themselves. It is simple to understand.
Regarding the question on who the payment of sin is paid to, I think that all we have to do is look to our own courts. Prosecutors are said to represent "the people". Sentences are paid to the penal institution or the State, and not to the prosecutor himself.
Likewise, the payment for sin is paid to the community of created agents capable of morality. That's the way I see it.
So are you saying that JWs believe the ransom does nothing for them and only for Adam?
They give a little lip service to the ransom sacrifice, but they ultimately believe that they will atone for their own sin when they die. So, the idea that Jesus is some sort of scapegoat for them personally isn't even on their radar. With WT lies, they are inoculated against seeing the need to receive Christ as their "kinsman redeemer", a man like us.
Thwaites Ice Shelf