Janean,

I thank you for your concern, but you made a mistake and I must call you on it.

However strongly you feel that our petition to the saints is wrong, taking scriptures out of context is also wrong.

In both of your cited scriptures, God was specifically dealing with witchcraft. In witchcraft, the spirits of dead relatives are conjured, that they may have dialogue with the surviving relatives. (keep in mind that dialogue is a 2 way conversation) Because, as you correctly stated, the dead are shut off from this world, the "dead" that appear are actually clever and talented demons. And so, witchcraft is actually men, who are created in God's image, consulting and depending on (even worshipping) Satan, instead of God whom we're created to worship. This is an abomination before the Lord. (Lev 20:6)

In our petition to the saints, we ask, not expecting any response. Our desire is that our fervent prayers may ever be before the Lord, and this is exactly what happens.


I will be writing a post explaining the Catholic position on this subject soon, but I don't relish the battle that will ensue. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/uhoh.gif" alt="" />

In fact, there are really no scriptures that oppose this practice, and here protestants are at a loss. This puts you in a tough spot because you are left only with a strong feeling that there's something inappropriate about it.

But please, don't twist the scriptures to wring something out of it that isn't there. God's Word is sacred and holy, and we must treat it with reverent care. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/read.gif" alt="" />

Thank you for your prayers, I'm a lonely soldier far away from his family.

"Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."

catholicsoldier <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/takethat.gif" alt="" />