Why could people with different beliefs use the same divination practice, such as a Ouija board or a forked stick?

People with different beliefs can utilize the same divination practices, such as a Ouija board or a forked stick (often used in dowsing), because these tools often require only a practical understanding to operate.1

While some forms of divination are deeply rooted in specific religious cosmologies, many practices survive as popular traditions long after their original philosophical or theological contexts have been forgotten or discarded. In such cases, the symbolism of the practice may be little understood by the user, or the practice may be adopted simply for its "exotic" appeal.1

Furthermore, because these methods can be employed as simple, functional techniques—such as using a forked stick to locate water—they do not necessarily require a shared set of metaphysical or religious presuppositions. A full correspondence between a specific practice and a specific belief system is generally only expected when both have developed together within the same cultural context. Consequently, these tools can persist across diverse groups as perennial, practical attempts to address recurring human questions, regardless of the individual's personal faith.1