They are physically dead. Thats a fact, but if they are spiritually alive then they are not dead. If they were saints on earth, they remain saints in heaven.
How can you not understand Scripture? It clearly says they are ASLEEP and will only come awake when Christ returns. I won't repeat the same Scripture already posted twice.
Your Catholic teachers tell you that we are all saints according to Scripture, but some "saints' are better than others, so they are "beatified"! That is blasphemous on it's face, and heretical at it's core.That site makes the claim that it is better to pray to those saints, since they are physically closer to God. Haven't they heard about the Holy Spirit? Don't they know that when two or three are gathered together, he is among us? Don't you understand that God is omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient? God is a spirit, Scripture tells us, and those that worship Him must worship him in spirit and in truth... You can look that up yourself!
We do not seem to be worshiping the same God, if your God has such limitations. I am wasting my time here, so I won't bother you again. Feel free to keep in your faith, but it is your faith in a manmade organization that you think will save you...
They're dead (sleeping), Jim! They aren't out walking in the streets of Heaven just yet! 1 Thess 4
Disclaimer noted.