Very good post, Lith.
On the subject of the meaning of the word; yes, that's its original meaning, but according to most dictionary definitions, the number one meaning these days seems to be "Of, relating to, or dealing with supernatural influences, agencies, or phenomena" (quoting from the American Heritage Dictionary). In which case, I would still argue that the Bible has more to do with
promoting such ideas than any fictional book such as HP. But yes, in its more proper -- and original -- sense, it does mean "hidden from view, concealed, secret", etc.
It wasn't until the severe lack of understanding of the English language became so prevalent that all applicatons of the word became so pejorative ("occult source", for instance, occurs in different pieces of literature, referring to the origins of a stream, meaning simply that the source of the stream is unknown or hidden from view -- hardly something necessarly sinister). It is, sadly, just another example of a very idiotic sort of literalness on the part of far too many people, who simply cannot seem to understand the boundary between the figurative and the literal when it comes to writing.
Oh, and just for the record: for those who jokingly mentioned "Bewitched" and "I Dream of Jeannie", etc.... Those
were included in such fundamentalist Christian fulminations back when they were first broadcast. I recall actually having such in some of the lesson plans for various classes I either was in or taught when I was going to church..... I'm sorry if this offends, but it really is the truth: such idiocy really deserves little more than sorrow and contempt. This sort of backward thinking is what continues to promote illiteracy and fear and hatred of anything outside a very narrow "norm", rather than building a bridge to understanding....