Today, as the United States celebrates Veteran's Day, the Church celebrates Martin of Tours, a conscientious objector to war. Let us follow this subversive centurion in the way of Jesus, our ultimate Commander.

Before Occupy Wall Street was "Occupy Tiananmen Square." I was there leading the student-fueled movement, and today I see glimpses of early Tiananmen in the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Theologians have traditionally spoken of a conflict between justice and grace: justice is about there being consequences for wrong action and grace is about leniency.

Thich Nhat Hanh offers this precept: "Do not accumulate wealth whilst millions are hungry. ... Live simply and share time, energy and material resources with those who are in need."

As an American, and as a Muslim, I have found an antidote in strategies and programs that presents an alternative to vilification, a third way toward peace-building and reconciliation.

If we believe that one life - perhaps even our own - is worth giving up for a change that brings hope to thousands or millions of others, then this third way begins to look like a path worth exploring.

Stand with me and say, "I am here to stop the execution of the next Troy Davis -- and every single person living on death row."

Attitudes in biblical texts regarding violence are complex and, at times, irreconcilable. But what, if anything, can these texts teach us today?

Now what makes this even more complicated is the fact that most of the statements about Hell found in the Bible are said by Jesus. The one who is leading me to question Hell, seems to be the very one who teaches it.

We've recently seen the tragedy of brutal violence in parts of the Middle East, but also the impact of "people power" grounded in nonviolent resistance.

This is the greatest lesson I have learned as a Palestinian: to be the change that I want to see take place, not only in Palestine and Israel but in the world.

Those who commit their lives to following Jesus are asked to follow in His steps. Many will argue that these are challenging tasks. If Jesus was here today, He would not do anything we cannot do ourselves.

I am teaming up with Ben Cohen, co-founder of Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, and an all-star cast to create a little event to provoke the imagination on the eve of the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11.