Magnum: This incident reminds me of one of my main complaints
about JWdom - the lack of opportunity for honest, sincere criticism.
Exactly. This is also one of the things that distinguish a legitimate religion from a cult.
Magnum: Suppose there had
been someone in the audience who was really concerned about the
effectiveness of the cart witnessing. Could he have voiced his concern?
Sure they could have voiced their concern or disagreement, but only at the risk of social sanctions ranging from dirty looks to judgmentally dismissive comments, from a talk by the elders on the need to be "humble" to ostracism and shunning.
Again, proof that this is not a healthy group, but a high-control, authoritarian cult.