What Do Saints Do?

Before posting your answer, Locke, define "Saint". If you strictly sanction its use to the Roman Catholic or Eastern Orthodox churches, then yes, they are mortally dead.

Many Protestants, however, consider all Christians to be saints in line with the New Testament usage of the term.

I agree with you in terms of NOT praying to Saints. From what I remember from my Catholic background, these are not prayers directed at the Saints, but requests for them to offer intercessory prayers on others' behalf. My feelings, however, are that since Christ Himself is the High Priest, and since the veil was torn, we can go directly to the Father's throne room in prayer with Jesus as our Mediator, or advocate, without even the need of any other priest. I still appreciate and covet the prayers of others (priests, saints, family, friends) on my behalf just the same.

I also abstain from idolizing Mary, but the Catholic Church has fulfilled her prophecy that "from now on all generations will call me 'blessed'. She should be considered with honor and reverence, however, as she was addressed as one who found favor with God.

Effectively defy the first two commandments of the Old Testament.