This is a lion. It is a dangerous animal. It kills and eats other animals.
Sometimes lions kill and eat people, too.
You should stay away from lions.
This is a witch. She uses magic to control spirits and make them do her bidding.
What she is doing is dangerous. She risks becoming influenced by evil spirits. Also, she is breaking God's commandments because God forbids us to deal with spirits or dabble in sorcery.
You should stay away from witches and witchcraft.
This is also a lion. But this one isn't dangerous at all. It is not a real lion, just a toy that looks like a lion. It does not eat anything.
When we talk about lions, it's important to know if we mean real ones or toy lions.
Because there are big differences.
This is also a witch. But she isn't a real one. She is a fantasy witch and only exists in an imaginary world. In her world, unlike the real one, magic works. She does not do occultism or deal with spirits. But she can do magic. Witches in the real world can't do that.
When we talk about witches and wizards, it's important to know if we mean real ones or fantasy ones.
Because there are big differences.
But if real lions are dangerous, why do they make toys that look like them? Isn't there a risk that kids who play with lion toys will imitate real lions and eat each other?
No, because it isn't what the lion eats that makes it a fun toy. Lions have other characteristics that make them exciting. For example that they are big and strong.
But if real witches are bad and real magic is dangerous, why do they write children's books about witches and magic? Isn't there a risk that kids who read these books will imitate witches and start talking to evil spirits?
No, because the fantasy witches don't do that. They don't need to because magic really works in their world, somewhat like electricity does in reality.
There are many tales where animals are like people, they talk to each other and have adventures. Like, for instance in the movie "the Lion King".
Animals are often used as symbols for different characteristics, e.g. the lion is brave, the bear is strong and the snake is cunning.
Of course these stories have nothing to do with eating people.
People have always fantazised about what it would be like to have special powers, like being able to fly or see through walls or breathe under water like a fish or to have super strength.
There are many stories where some people can do such things, e.g. the books about Harry Potter.
Of course these stories have nothing to do with occultism, evil spirits or real witches.
"The Lion King" is set in Africa among wild animals. But the movie isn't about African wildlife. The animals in the movie are not real animals, but more like people.
Their problems are totally human, like how to get along, make friends, stop bad things from happening, and what it means to grow up.
The main characters are animals because that makes for a more entertaining story than if they had been just ordinary kids.
The stories about Harry Potter are set at a school for sorcery and witchcraft. But the fantasy magic they study is nothing like what occultists do in the real world. The stories aren't about magic but about people.
Their problems are things we all recognize: going to school, making friends, practising sports, stopping bad things from happening and what it means to grow up.
The main characters can do magic because that makes for a more entertaining story than if they had been just ordinary kids.
Pippi Longstockings is also a fiction character. She is so strong that she can lift a horse. If there were real girls who could do that, the Pippi books would not be as tantalizing as they are.
The fact that no real person can do the things Pippi can do, is the very point!
If the Pippi stories were about real muscular girls, they would be boring.
Harry Potter can do magic. If there really were boys who could do magic, reading about him would hardly be special.
The fact that no real person can do the things Harry can do, is the very point!
If the Potter stories were about real occult magicians, they would be very boring.