The problem for a lot of people is that magick and religion have become separate especially in countries that have had Christianity.
It is difficult for a lot of people to really take on board that magick and religion have usually been 'hand in glove'.
This is one of the reasons why Thelema is so valuable, it is a modern religious philosophy developed by a european and which fully integrates magick. People from other cultures which still have magick integral to religion have no difficulty with spirits appearing visibly etc even if the work they do is very empirical, a scientist for example.
Some of the issues and difficulties that have arisen on this thread are perhaps due to the barren spiritual heritage that rapidly fading Christianity has left behind.