Here's my little folk "wisdom" addendum to your great point:
* Try to replace any judginess you feel, with curiosity
(Easier said than done - but a little humility is a great first step towards getting to that curious state of mind)
Curiosity places understanding something ahead of justifying something. It makes self-interrogation easier and less threatening to the ego. It makes engaging with those who hold differing beliefs more about understanding/exploring, and less like doing battle.
That's my theory anyways, but it could be my bias talking.
