You are right about the fire thing. They do not scream or anything. I've ben present at a burning of one before. Heck, i've done it to show people they do'nt do it.
as for them being able to contact spirits. I don't kow for sure. I believe in them, though i don't like using them a lot. I couldn't tell you if they were real for sure or not, because frankl i don't know. I only have my beliefs and you have yours. You can't possibly tell me tht you know 100% tht they are mere toys.
I believe they work, and so do others. People are not idiots for believing in such things, for it is not a lot difert from praying is it, (no offence intended). People may not agree with some things oyu believe in, they may find them childish, or stupid. Just because somethings doesn't happen to you, or doesn't work for you, doesn't mean its wrong or not going to happen to anyone.