I think the difference is attitude. The Force is overtly mystical, and is generally treated that way in-universe (in fact, trying to do otherwise with the midichlorians proved unpopular). Stuff like that puts the fantasy into science fantasy for me
I'm not sure what that last part means. Reaction rolls are helpful for GMs. I guess you're right that Players could react out of character in a passive situation just as much as an active one, but I haven't had that be a problem yet.
The laugh was for the last bit 😉
Reaction rolls are more akin to passive checks in something like 5e than they are active ones. I feel the difference between the two is enough to warrant different mechanics, but YMMV.
Or you discuss what you think should happen with the rest of the table and come to a conclusion, with the GM having the final say if needed. That's how we do it.
No, I think Players should make choices for their characters based on what their characters are experiencing and are capable of, not what the Player wants to happen (if there's a conflict), and I want the results of mechanics from either side to affect both PC and NPCs in some fashion.
Things traditional defined as magic being treated as technology definitely blurs the line. Heck, the way spellcasting is handled in D&D can be argued to operate like this.