I already explained the magic in Harry Potter. It is something you are born with, like brown eyes. Reread my post. I explained why I believe they are different, you explain why other people believe thay are not. From my faith based background, the difference to me is the very foundation they are built on. The foundation that Harry’s magic is built on is a gift that is born to you. In the real world, it simply does not exist.
The occult is built on a foundation that does exist (since I believe in God, I also believe there is a devil and even he has powers) and can be performed by anyone who believes in it and practices it. In Harry’s world, if you aren’t born with it, you can not do it, ever, no matter how much you want to or how hard you try. I see a difference between the two.
I can say the “spells” from Harry Potter a billion times and my bathrooms will not clean themselves. I could go to an occult gathering and participate in what they do. I don’t know if their stuff will work, but I believe it to be the devil’s work and I will not mess with it.
“The foundation that Harry’s magic is built on is a gift that is born to you. In the real world, it simply does not exist.”
Very wrong. I’ve know people involved with such things that claimed to have their abilities since birth. That is where the whold concept of generational witchcraft comes from. Many witches claim to come from a line of witches.