Donald Trump

Churches and Facebook Live Attempt to Stem Anger, Heal

As protests in the Bay Area and around the country continued over the election of Donald Trump as the next president, there was another movement getting some attention Sunday that offered a different approach.

Faith leaders from coast to coast have opened doors to healing locations, saying they are trying to tone down the anger in an attempt to calm the nation. And they used Facebook Live to connect with each other and as many viewers who wished to participate.

"Opinions, they divide people. The heart unifies people," viewer Nancy Nugent said. "And there's something we can call agree on: we're all humans."

The Rev. Maggie Oman Shannon made the Unity Spiritual Center in San Francisco one of 37 healing locations.

"We're hearing a lot of people experiencing shock, grief, disappointment," Shannon said.

The Facebook Live discussion was coordinated in Washington, D.C., by the Shift Network and was dubbed "Day of Helaing & Reconciliation: Reuniting Our Country After the Election."

"Afterwards, people can be in small groups to share their heart, feelings, emotions," said Devaa Mitchell, of the Shift Network, whose panel of ministers and community leaders delivered comfort and advice on how to become one country again.

Speaker Bill Shireman said he understood the protests and resistance, but added, "We can find the open doors; we can walk through together."

Organizers said the nationwide event was getting heavy viewership in homes.

"It's not a time for sides, there are no sides," said Susan Aaron Rainbow Kennedy. "It's a main dish where everyone works together."

But while the effort reached many in a positive way, it also had its detractors. The Shift Network has been bombarded with negative online responses to its method, showing not everyone is ready to heal just yet.

"I'm not going to use the language people have been using, but they're saying forget the words - we want blood," Mitchell said.

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