Debate on gay marriage will distract the Maine Legislature. There’s no way around it; that’s the nature of issues that transcend mere policy into ethics, theology, civil liberty, social mores, cultural trends and intrinsic moral beliefs.

It engages a different part of the legislative brain than, say, tax or health care reform. This isn’t about efficient service delivery or big-government-versus-small-government solutions, or any other policy buzzwords that flit about under the dome.

It is about people, their identities and opinions about equality.

There was never going to be a “good time” to talk about it. The prospect of gay marriage, for many policymakers, probably makes discussing anything else seem worthwhile. The issue is challenging and wearying, because compromise among the combatants is elusive (at best).

So it’s a distraction. This year, as Gov. John Baldacci pointed out Tuesday, state lawmakers cannot afford distractions, lest other crucial issues – largely financial or economic – suffer as a result.

“Right now, I’m focused on creating jobs and doing what I can to help our economy recover from an unprecedented recession,” said Baldacci. “We cannot allow ourselves to be divided or turned against one another during this crisis.”

The governor is on point. This, to us, puts pressure on advocates and opponents of gay marriage to, as this legislation progresses, keep discussion civil and respectful. This is a clash of deeply held beliefs, neither of which is wrong, per se.

Just their own shade of right.

Four groups are on the forefront. The Maine Freedom to Marry Coalition is the umbrella for a broad spectrum of organizations that support gay marriage. The Maine Marriage Alliance, Maine Family Policy Council (née Christian Civic League) and the Catholic diocese are against the legislation.

The distraction that gay marriage becomes during this difficult legislative session depends on these groups. We urge them to keep rhetoric respectful, honest and forthright. Disagree, but do so without rancor. Debate, but do so without ridicule.

Gay marriage demands respectful attention and scrutiny, absent partisan bickering that too often accompanies legislative matters, large and small.

It’s up to advocates and opponents to make it this way.