[GonzoII]

"Because although they are alive in Christ, they are dead,"

So they are alive. And we don't "contact the dead" we ask for their prayers; not to get nosy news.

[Persevero]

“So they are alive. And we don’t “contact the dead” we ask for their prayers; not to get nosy news.”

I don’t think Saul was trying to get nosy news from Samuel either, but contacting him about a great matter of spiritual importance, and asking Samuel to INTERCEDE on his behalf.

I would say that if you pray to the dead and ask for them to intercede for you, you are contacting them. Or at least attempting to contact them. Both practices are sin. Hopefully if you were sinning in ignorance it will be forgiven.