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since we're not done looking at the question of intercession generally, the bringing up of the 'dead' question is a just changing the subject and looks evasive.

The "bringing up of the dead question" is central to the error of praying to anyone other than the Triune God.

The RCC believes in purgatory and that the prayers of the living can effect the eventual destination of the dead.

Bible-believing Christians know that at the moment of our death, we will either reside blameless in heaven with God or condemned by our sins in hell.

Therefore, for those already dead, our praying to other dead people is pointless.

And for the living, praying to dead people takes our eyes off the only mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus, who is "is before all things," and by whom "all things consist."

"Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve." -- Matthew 4:10

I'm just pointing out that a lot of the problem is that we are doing two very different things with different goals.

The "goal" should always be to understand God's word and will. If we don't find a belief in the Scriptures, if we find a particular belief expressly denounced in the Scriptures, what is the prudent man to do? Keep searching for reasons to believe what Scripture denies? Where's the logic in that?

I see no point in "engaging" with you all

It's human nature to withdraw when our defense is weak. There is an alternative.

"As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the LORD is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him." -- Psalm 18:30

Thank you so much for sharing your insights and those beautiful passages of Scripture!

And for the living, praying to dead people takes our eyes off the only mediator between God and men, Christ Jesus, who is "is before all things," and by whom "all things consist."

That is always the risk. Indeed, the risk is ever with us in this mortal life - that some thing or some one will become more important to us than God Himself - whether in a moment or a circumstance or throughout our lives.

It could be our "self," a child, a spouse, a friend - a possession, an illness, a situation, a contest, an idealogy, a theology, a thing - a religious figure dead or alive - and so on.

Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. – Matthew 16:24-25

The Great Commandment is a very hard teaching to live.

But truly, any thing or any one that we treasure above God - even in a moment - is an "idol" to us.

To GOD be the glory, not man.