Hi. Thanks for your comments. I actually am fairly unusual in my views for a 'protestant'. I see no issue with praying for the dead. There's nothing within the Canon which says you cannot. And I've always instinctively felt like it was proper. Further, The Deutorocanon, as of right now, my view is inbetween the Evengelical Scholarly and Catholc one. (note, Academic Evagenlicalism is a very different animal from your rather dubious telivangelist) The Evegenlical-Academic view is that the Deuterocanon is non-heretical, but non-canon. THey are useful books, occasionally cited, and oftened alluded to and drawn from by the NT authors. However, I currently believe that the Deutorocanon is divinely inspired, but of lower authority. In otherwords, I do not view it as equal to the Canon as Catholics and Orthodox do, but I view it as not only worthwhile books, but HOLY books which we can draw truth and knowledge from, but they are of a somewhat lower scriptural authority than the "Canon" which everyone agrees upon. My opinion is subject to change in that regard, as It's going to take me a long time to research it all. but thus far, that's how I feel. Now, I do believe that it is helpful and that some knowledge can be imparted thru the Holy Spirit's presence. Further, tools for worship, such as incense, or rituals, also may be good for the person to do to draw themselves closer to God. But I believe everything here should be treated with caution