My questions are based on my SDA education during the 1960s and early 70.
The SDA insist that Saturday is the only day that can be observed as a sabbath day.
This is true. There are multiple threads that delve deep into scripture as to why. Look up imge's work.
The SDA teach that references to wine in the bible is actually grape juice.
Jesus called Himself the vine and us the branches (John 15:5). Christianity has long used the phrase "the vineyard". New wine is a phrase used for "grape juice" (unfermented wine), but it is also a type.
- True worship/false worship (Revelation 18:3)
- New covenant/old covenant (Matthew 9:14-17)
This is why New Wine is indeed considered to be grape juice. The types used clearly point to grape juice, not fermented wine. Fermented wine is the wine of Babylon, the kind that makes you drunk.
The SDA teach that drinking alcohol, coffee, tea is unhealthy therefore a sin.
Alcohol is a depressant, coffee and tea are stimulants. Our body is the temple of God (1 Corinthians 6:19-20) and we are to be of sound mind and good judgment (2 Timothy 1:7), scripture is clearly against drunkenness, which is an impaired state caused by drinking alcohol. It's why you can't drink and drive. Why would any Christian think it's okay to drink substances that cloud the mind and give a false boost of energy? Both of these cause you to crash. Both are addicting; alcohol and caffeine.
The SDA teach that eating meat is unhealthy and therefore is a sin. Especially pork products.
One doesn't need scripture to come to that conclusion. Red meat has been declared a carcinogen. Acrylamide is a carcinogen. People die every day from col-rectal cancer because of a diet of primarily meat. I don't think you can argue that meat is good for you. Pork is still as unclean as the day the law was given to Moses. Practices have greatly reduced parasite infections, but it's still possible for pigs in captivity to get parasites, no matter what you do.
The SDA teach that eating eggs, butter, and milk is unhealthy (based on Mrs. Whites dreams)
The SDA church I grew up in, the congregation used eggs, butter and milk for many of the vegetarian dishes that we would see at potluck. Ellen White did say that toward the end, these items would become toxic and shouldn't be eaten. I believe we're living in that time now and I also believe we're starting to see some of the effects of toxicity and negative effects on the body in recent decades. Still, it's a choice and not central to "being SDA".
The SDA teach that women should not wear makeup or jewelry.
Modesty puts our Christian character on display, sets us apart, which is something we're called to. We are not to be prideful or vain. I think scripture makes that clear. This isn't an SDA concept, it's a Biblical concept.
Most SDA will not become involved with other Christian denominations.
My own church had guest speakers from outside of our denomination. Likewise, our pastor went to other denominations and preached.
Most SDA will disassociate themselves from anyone that leaves the denomination and joins another denomination or church outside of the SDA.
My experiences have been the opposite. Yours may vary.
The SDA has been extremely critical of the Catholic church.
This idea began with the Reformers, which consisted of various denominations, based on Biblical prophecy. It is not exclusive to SDA, but we share their conclusions.
The SDA denomination was founded in 1863 but the movement started in the early 1830s. Ellen G White’s dreams and teaching were the main motivating factor for the foundation of the SDA.
Again, I pointed out that Ellen didn't have her first vision until 1844 and the foundations of the church were laid in the Millerite movement.
