On Sunday night, President Obama spoke at what was called an “interfaith” vigil for the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary shootings. And, as it usually does, “interfaith” was basically just a code word for “Christian,” given all the religious references in it:

[Quoting scripture:] “For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven not built by human hands.”

...unable to discern God’s heavenly plans.

...God has called them all home.

Why couldn’t he at least make a passing reference to those of us who don’t believe in God? We grieve, too. We want to help the people who are suffering (and we are). There’s no doubt in my mind that non-religious people live in Newtown — why not acknowledge that they, too, are finding ways to get through the tragedy without resorting to prayer or church?

Vjack at Atheist Revolution agrees:

Why speak only to the god-believers, and why squander the opportunity to unite a nation by endorsing superstition and magical thinking?

Staks Rosch took offense to the phrase “God has called them all home”:

It is surprising that [Obama] would push his religion so forcefully on the nation at a time when people are emotionally vulnerable. Twenty kids and six adults were just murdered and the President is talking about how God is lonely and wants some company.

Just to be clear, these people aren’t saying the President shouldn’t console religious survivors or family members by speaking their language. They’re just saying don’t forget about us. We’re affected by the events, we’re looking for answers, and we shouldn’t be ignored in the midst of all this heartbreak.