We don't want to pay much attention to Michael Heath and the Christian Civic League, which he directs.

But the League has in the past successfully galvanized Maine's attention by mounting referenda to promote its hateful, anti-homosexual agenda. And it's at it again.

Last week, Heath and his cohorts took the first step toward yet another statewide citizen initiative, this time a grab bag of their obsessions, including provisions to deny equal rights to homosexuals, stop gay adults from adopting children or, god forbid, marrying or otherwise joining together through civil unions.

So pay attention we must, for even a flea can transmit a deadly disease.

In this case, the disease is intolerance. The League proposes to limit the rights of just about anyone who isn't straight and who doesn't fit its narrow definition of civic rectitude.

The application for the citizen initiative filed last week with the secretary of state contains this language:

"Passage of this referendum question will clarify marriage law limiting the institution of marriage to one man and one woman. Additionally, it forbids the establishment of civil unions. Furthermore, it clarifies adoption law to allow only one person, or a married couple, to adopt. The referendum removes the designation 'sexual orientation' from the Maine Human Rights Act, thereby eliminating special rights based on 'sexual orientation.' Lastly, the referendum eliminates funding for the Attorney General's civil rights teams."

Here's what we think Maine should do: Ignore Heath and his minions and their latest fundraising and membership drive, disguised as this statewide referendum. There's a sociological theory that groups on the decline can reinvigorate themselves by pounding on a common enemy -- and then fighting back when the enemy counter-attacks. In this case, let's deny the Christian Civic League the dirty air (and members and money) it needs to sustain itself by withholding our attention. No online comments, no bumper stickers, no speeches or rallies or fundraising campaigns to fight them off.

Let's instead pay them what they're worth -- nothing -- and then watch them wither away.