False religions have roots in the truth. Counterfeit money is based off the real thing. The goal is to make money look like a real bill so that no one will notice it holds no value. The devil takes the truth and twists it just a little. It's like a frog in pot of water. The frog does not notice the water slowly getting hot. As the pot heats up the frog does not jump out of the pot. He adjusts to the slowly heated water until he is dead. Satan will take the truth and twist it. Once people are used to it, he twists it again. Soon people are now following a completely different gospel and will end up spiritually dead.
Mormonism and Jehovah Witnesses are professing Christian religions that if you believe the essence of their doctrine, you are not saved! The Catholic church also has major flaws. I find that there are a wide range of Catholics. Some Catholic churches have the main doctrine of salvation preached with idolatry and false teachings mixed in, and others have lost the gospel entirely. I believe the Catholic church is Mystery Babylon. See my End Times page for more information on Mystery Babylon. I think being a Catholic puts a big hurdle between a person and salvation. There are Catholics who are able to get over the hurdle and see the true gospel, but there are many that are not able to. The only way to prevent falling for a false gospel is to actually read the gospel. When you know the Word of God and a false doctrine is presented to you, you will recognize it as a counterfeit. Their is value in the real thing.
John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.