Bob... I'm really not aware of anyone who believes there were any prophecies about JWs. Well, if that's what you meant... myth dispelled I suppose. I will agree that Catholics are much further off the mark than JWs. JWs are known as the cult because well... that's what the big church calls the little church. JWs are closer to the truth than Catholics and certainly never posed a great threat to control the faith. It is also true that in Catholicism it is almost impossible to consider the church itself EVER being wrong. Dangerous is the man who cannot be wrong inside his own mind, fear the congregation that cannot be wrong. Yes Catholicism is disturbing.
Course, given what you're saying about Catholics, true or not, comparing them to SDA is extreme. SDA never posed such threats and has always been relatively peaceful. I'm not sure what their customs are concerning the church aside from attempting to follow more closely the old testament customs, but none on the same disturbing level as praying to the dead. SDA does believe in a prophet... actually not a surprising notion considering that many a prophet led the Jewish faith. I would remind them, any prophet must be proven and even if proven, must be held to the same standards as everyone else... thats absolutely right, a prophet CAN be wrong.
I would consider it proper, to apologize for the uncalled for comparison which lead to an understandably angry defense. SDA and RC are not similar denominations and I'm sure you're well aware of that.
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Misconceptions about talking to the lost.
What actually bothers me is Christian speakers and their often sarcastic attitudes about how to speak to the lost. Here then is how NOT to talk to someone to win them to Christ.
Myth 1:
Attacking someone's belief openly grabs their attention and forces them to engage you.
Yea right. Yea, they'll engage you all right, but doubtful it will be a fruitful engagement. Most likely the individual will walk away despising you and convinced that EVERYTHING you said MUST be wrong.
Understand, as close to your heart as your beliefs are, often so are those of the lost. You hate being called to account for the Salem witch trials, so also do Catholics despise being called to account for the inquisition. Yes, you may indeed feel accusations of this manner are valid (the inquisition WAS sanctioned) but they need to be addressed in a non aggressive manner. Yes, serious accusations can be brought up and CAN be effective, very much so, but really shouldn't be your main point or something you shout loudly so everyone else can hear.
Myth 2:
The lost are generally dumb or at least very dull on spiritual issues.
Be wary of ministers who paint the lost as foolish. We christians are not the only ones capable of intelligent thought. Satan is crafty and indeed constructs elaborate lies not only taken by the fool. Satan, our adversary, is the one behind many of these faiths, remember, he is no dummy. One should always be ready to be challenged by the lost, bring forth his best arguments and engage our ancient foe in a serious manner.
Myth 3:
Aside from eternal destiny of souls, not else is contingent on our ministries.
No even close to the truth. Christianity is the belief that created the modern civilized world as we know it. Our faith birthed modern science, reason and standards of right and wrong. Other systems of belief undermine the truth we all know is saving the world in more than one way. Ministry and continuing to keep the church alive is VERY important.
Myth 4:
Liken your beliefs to a lost man he'll be more agreeable.
On the surface this is true. This is a bait and switch technique. It's fools gold. A man who accepts Jesus as his savior, not understanding he is committing to a truly different belief system than his previous one, will probably be the first to abandon the faith. Regardless if it is so, once saved always saved, it is NOT so, once converted always converted. God is not the father of lies, that's Satan, do not win the lost through lies.
Myth 5:
The lost are demon possessed.
My acknowledgment that Satan is responsible for many of these false religions is not an accusation of demonic possession. Men are sentient and independently thinking beings. Being wrong does not mean you are being controlled. The lost are reasonable normal people. I would be quite surprised if one started to glow red and attack me with super human strength for saying evolution is false.
Myth 6:
It is appropriate to force irrelevant ideas into a conversation in order to get a missionary debate going.
No, actually it's ineffective and annoying. Yes, I understand, you're trying to take every opportunity, but not every conversation needs to somehow be about Jesus. When discussing who makes the best French fries, remember, the virgin birth really doesn't fit. One who does this is usually either humored or ignored. It's just obnoxious. Plenty of opportunities will legitamately present themselves for discussion of the spiritual and the morale, listen for them.
Myth 7:
Cute sayings are effective.
WWJD is a conversation started, but only because people see that is stands out. In it of itself the bracelet says nothing. Use it to attract attention, but seriously, it's about the same as wearing a cross on your neck. No one will believe in Jesus because you say a saying to them that has no meaning to them. "You must be washed in the blood!"... is more than likely to creep out someone who doesn't know what you mean. Talk like a normal person to the lost, not using church terms, cutesie sayings or silly anecdotes.
Myth 8:
Common resentment, "I dislike X group to" creates common ground.
If you despise the crusades as well... what in the world does that have to do with atheism? No one cares how much you dislike a certain group "to". It also doesn't help your case with any potentially listening in individuals, for instance, an RC won't be very impressed by you for no real reason, bashing his church in a debate. I myself, often defend the beliefs of others, for instance, defending the catholic church from accusations of wide spread molestation, pointing out those were unsanctioned actions of individuals. If the lost see you as thirsty to attack and hateful of every view not your own... yea, it's not very tempting to even look twice.
Myth 9:
If it worked once...
No, it probably won't work twice. Try actually listening to what someone says to determine what they need to hear and where they're coming from.
Myth 10:
The only reason for ministry is to save the lost.
Absolutely not. The Christian view needs to STAY in the public eye. We should not allow he followers of the wicked one to control how we are portrayed.
Alas, Brother Darron, (as my Native American friend says to me) Pale Face speak like snake with split tongue 