Not Former, you make valid points. The ARC was a disappointment overall. They had the "goods" on WTC but let them slip away. Even if that is not the end of the attention they give WTC, it is indeed frustrating to see that they basically did little to nothing in stopping the abuse of children. In their defense, I suppose one could argue that the problem was much larger than the problem in JW congs. They have a lot to address with other religions, anf the political capital it takes to do that is enormous.
WTC's demise could be almost immediate if they lost their tax exemption in the U.S. alone. However, I suspect that it will be a slow death by attrition due to CSA lawsuits, apathy among the young, and inability to recruit fresh new members.
Having served at WTC headquarters, I can tell you that the inside view is dire. They joined the UN so that they could hobnob with the BIG BOYS (catholics and other mega religions). Now they have employed the same law firm that is helping the Catholic dioceses declare chapter 11 in one location after another. This is no coincidence. That should tell you what the near future holds for WTC. It will not be the end, but you will be able to see the end on the horizon when that happens. They may even relocate the headquarters to a friendlier nation (like Argentina), but that will only postpone the inevitable. When the faithful stop traveling to tour headquarters and worship the GB, in practical terms, it will be over.
Don't take me wrong - ALL of the faithful will NOT abandon WTC. Decades from now, some will still be holding their breath for the Great Tribulation to start. They will be inconsequential - does that make you feel better?
I read recently that a few Shakers still exist. I don't care and neither does anyone else I think. JWs will eventually be so few that no one will care - and neither will I.
Their demise is death by a thousand cuts - some cuts are deeper than others, but they are hemorhaging money and support as I write this. I don't personally think that any emergency efforts can save them. They want to stay out of court to avoid bad PR and unpredictably high settlements. So, they have chosen to negotiate and settle with tight NDA's in place. This is nothing more than a calculated strategy to give them time to get the ducks in a row for chapter 11. Follow the money my friend. Don't believe wildly inaccurate reports they publish. They are the king of the lie - why should they change now.
