Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry is a man known for his great talent and charm. He will need them as he inherits the leadership of a denomination in free fall decline surrounded by a world gone mad. We are now at a place where the inmates not only are running the asylum, but control the rights to any future books and movies.

If patriotism was once regarded as the last refuge of a scoundrel it has been superseded by racism. This is not our grandparents racism as this neo-racism is something far different. Martin Luther King proclaimed in his I Have a Dream Speech that it was his hope someday people will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

Neo- racism is more typically African-American. Loudly proclaiming black lives matter it is in reality a mask to further an agenda of black lives matter exclusively. Neo-racism activist Julius Jones recently told CNN that any suggestion that all lives matter is a "violent statement." Columnist Leonard Pitts Jr. equates believing all lives matter with "moral cowardice."

Positions like this eschew debate because responsibility necessitates accountability. Any suggestion that an illegitimacy rate in excess of 70% might contribute to higher black crime brings charges of inciting hate speech. Constructive criticism is deflected as emanating from the sin of white privilege. Neo-racism is manufactured, synthetic, irresponsible and insidious. It is a movement more closely aligned with the sick philosophy of Adolf Hitler than the transformational vision of Martin Luther King, Jr. It is unworthy of claiming kinship with those who brought down racial barriers in the struggle for equality.

As the first African American to be elected Presiding Bishop, Curry will be pressured to concentrate primarily on issues of race. It will be a challenge for him to resist the temptation of placating these neo-racist posers.

Some years ago I applied to be licensed as an interim in the Diocese of North Carolina where Curry was bishop. One of the initial requirements was to attend racial sensitivity training. I was surprised by this.

It is not that racism no longer exist but it is not an exclusive sin. Having served thirty years as a parish priest and been rector of a parish that worked to bridge the racial divide in the early 1980's it is something to which I can typically relate. I found it difficult to comprehend why it had suddenly taken such prominence. It felt gimmicky and I chose not to pursue certification in his diocese.

It strikes me as bizarre the Episcopal Church can be so vehement about the sin of racism while disturbingly silent about others. Christians are being persecuted at an alarming rate worldwide. Kayla Mueller a dedicated young Christian woman captured while providing humanitarian aid in Syria was tortured and sexually abused by Isis leader Abu Bakr al-Bagdad. She is just the latest in the radical Islamist war against women in general and young Christian women in particular. The absence of outrage from the Episcopal Church has been telling.

The church is not alone in its selective outrage. Charleston County Public Schools recently decided to ban Confederate symbols under threat of punishment. Given the recent tragedy in Charleston this is understandable. However, most school districts in South Carolina operate under a "disruptive attire" policy which is more broadly encompassing.

VOL contacted the Charleston County Schools seeking clarification as whether all symbols of hate were banned and their criteria for doing so. In spite of a phone recording informing me that in Charleston schools "excellence is standard "the calls were not quickly returned. After the inevitable runaround Mr. Daniel Head eventually responded by sending a copy of the press release concerning the new policy.

The question remained unanswered. After a second inquiry he responded that "It would be impossible to specifically identify every kind of image or symbol that would violate the Student Dress Code." Which is exactly the point. If symbols regarded as inciting hate are wrong then what is the purpose of singling out one.

An August 20th Rasmussen Poll indicates that by a margin of 2 to 1 African-Americans believe all lives matter. By a margin of 3 to 1 they regard the "Black lives Matter" movement as political. The church is now the only place the culture has left to turn for guidance. We have not been exactly sterling in our witness.

So Bishop Curry you can make a difference, but it will not be easy. You will have to be clear, bold, and brave. You ethnicity can be an asset, but you must resist the temptation to pander.

True racism is too important to be hijacked by today's neo-racist vacuousness. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is color blind.

At least it's supposed to be.

Ladson F. Mills III is a priest with over thirty years pastoral experience. He is retired and lives with his wife in South Carolina. He currently serves as Scholar in Residence at the Church of Our Saviour, Johns Island. He is a regular contributor to Virtueonline.