Split Personality?

[Morwen]

The entire premise of the book hangs on this plot device. If Sauron gets the ring then we all kiss out collective behinds goodbye. Except for a few things like
---- Sauron already had the ring
---- it did not protect him previously when he did have it
---- the power in the ring came from Sauron in the first place
--- even with the ring upon his hand, a man was able to cut it off and defeat him

Its an internal contradiction that is at the very heart of the plot.

where in the LotR is it stated that the Ring was supposed to protect him or that it operates as a protective device? Where is this suggested?

Where is it stated or suggested that Sauron while wearing the Ring is invulnerable to attack making it impossible for Isildur to in fact cut it from hand?

And if neither of these things is stated or suggested then how is it a flaw if the Ring doesn't do something that it's never said that it could do?

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Sauron the White

Its an internal contradiction that is at the very heart of the plot.

I also don't see such a contradiction. One element that seems to be missing from the conversation is the elves: for one thing, Sauron with the ring would control all that they have created with their rings. For another, the elves are diminishing and leaving Middle Earth. By design, they are far more endowed than Men are or were, in spirit, mind or body. While the elves were capable of keeping even Morgoth's armies at bay, the Men, who make up the dominant opposition to Sauron, cannot face him at this hour, even if Sauron is far less powerful than in the Second Age. While it could be argued that both the strength of the good and evil forces has diminished, the good side suffered most, due to the lessening numbers of the elves. I believe this is the deciding element in the projected success of Sauron if he regained the ring: he would regain much of his former power, control what the elves have achieved - while the strongest element of his opposition is all but gone.