The Courage to Challenge Fear

Courage is the guiding theme of IFLC’s programming this year. Through reflection and internal discussions, IFLC identified eight distinct aspects of courage that are essential for individuals, organizations, and community leaders seeking to respond to the divisions and challenges facing our society.

As our nation approaches the America 250 Anniversary Commemoration, it is worth reflecting on the connections between personal courage, the ongoing work of interfaith engagement in Metropolitan Detroit, and the founding ideals that continue to shape our shared civic life. The following is a brief exploration of how these values intersect and why they remain so important today.

We generally think of courage as the willingness to go forward in our duty or personal commitments despite the fear of personal risks that may result. The Cambridge dictionary drills into this relationship between fear and courage, describing it as “the ability to control your fear in a dangerous or difficult situation.”

According to Professor Daniel Putman, “courage involves a deliberate choice in the face of painful or fearful circumstances for the sake of a worthy goal.” This suggests that courage is a choice by which we disable fear, before it disables us.

Why do we feel Courage is important now?

Well, Gandhi is famously quoted as saying “The enemy is fear. We think it is hate; but, it is fear.”

This was not a denial of the horrors resulting from hatred, but recognition that fear is the necessary precursor for the cultivation of mass hatred found at the root of modern cataclysms. How is it that neighbors accustomed to living together peacefully can rise up and slaughter one another? Sadly, history shows it can most easily be accomplished through the skillful manipulation of fear and ignorance by those seeking personal gain or power. Whether in Rwanda, or Bosnia, or any of a thousand other ancient and modern conflicts, the propagation of fear is the medium in which a willingness for violence is most easily cultured.

Fear is one of the strongest and most easily stimulated human emotions. It is aroused, occasionally, by what we do know, but even more often by what we do not. Because we live in an age of mass communication, with few tools reliably separating information from misinformation, it is easy for fear-mongers (or fear–orists) to abuse media, promoting fears that serve their purpose.

Fear attracts attention and consideration. Whether in advertising, political positioning, or media competition, the cultivation of fear serves private purposes, often at the expense of society. The cohesion of our local (and national) communities depends upon trust, a precious public asset that is slowly developed through education and experience, and quickly eroded by fear-orism.

There are times when fear is well-informed. There are among us those who would use violence to accomplish their goals. They hide among those who pose no threat at first. They are criminals and terrorists. However, their numbers are small, and their impact on the world would be slight without the megaphone of fear-orism to exploit ignorance and myths. Their goal is to inflame the perceived threat of personal harm even when it is disconnected from underlying realities. If this is the age of information, something is amiss.

The aspects of Courage that we will be discussing today are those that dimmish fear, that free us from its reactionary “fight or flight” impulse. Courage to connect, listen, learn and reconcile will deflect fear-full messaging and replace it with knowledge. Knowledge and personal experience can insulate us and our communities from the tyranny of inflammatory fear. They are the kryptonite of fear-orists.

You might ask why, of all the virtues, courage is so highly regarded. At its heart, a courageous person confronts the truth that, although we feel our own needs, wants and pain most strongly, the needs, want and pain of others also deserve our attention, interest, and at times, sacrifice. Courage prioritizes, above all, the common good.

The search for a common good is the road to “a more perfect union” that began 250 years ago. The only forge that can create “one out of many” is the forge of justice. Interfaith work, for me, has been a lifelong process of learning the ways in which we each express the ideal of the common good, so that we can stand with compassion, share with authenticity, and learn to collaborate on this thing we call community.

Courage can defeat fear. And build Community. Once again, I am reporting on history not offering philosophical speculation. Last year, I announced that an IFLC sponsored Bridging to Belonging group had received the George Washington national unity award for its work in reconciling minority policing issues in Farmington Hills. Building on that foundation, the Group has remained active. Last week it received unanimous City Council support for its Juneteenth declaration which included a first-ever authorization to add fireworks to the celebration this coming Thursday night!

Why are fireworks important? Michigan State law limits the events where Fireworks are authorized. Juneteenth is not one of those approved events. The only way to get an approved exception is for the local community to approve the exception and the necessary permits. Three years ago, we couldn’t imagine that the City Council would approve that request, so that is the goal we set — locally approved fireworks in three years! Last week, history was made as the the Farmington Hills City Council unanimously approved the petition and accompanying permits for the first time!

The path to one out of many continues. Please join us as we cocreate unity in each of our communities.

Greg Geiger – President IFLC
June 15, 2026