Jim - the word is 'empathy'. You have to think yourself into the mindset of someone whose views, tho different from your own, are worthy of respect. I found this essential once when asked to review for ED&S the religious poems of Sydney Carter, who wrote Lord·Of·The·Dance among many others. I knew him slightly, and he thanked me for the review, saying that I obviously had respect for his views tho I equally clearly did not share them. I think that such an approach, related to the beliefs and superstitions of the ballads, and the characters of their protagonists, is what you are feeling towards with your questions in your last, valuable, post.