Neil Degrasse Tyson sparks Internet fight with Christmas tweets
Astrophysicist and cosmologist Neil Degrasse Tyson angered many Christians Thursday with a string of Christmas morning tweets about the holiday.
The director of New York's Hayden Planetarium set the stage with a post to his 2.8 million followers:
QUESTION: ThIs year, what do all the world's Muslims and Jews call December 25th? ANSWER: Thursday
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 25, 2014
His message was retweeted over 3,000 times. He then tweeted about "a child born who, by age 30, would transform the world" -- and then wished Isaac Newton a happy birthday.
On this day long ago, a child was born who, by age 30, would transform the world. Happy Birthday Isaac Newton b. Dec 25, 1642
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 25, 2014
That message was retweeted over 60,000 times, sparking replies that both cheered and bashed him. He continued, firing off a tweet that questioned both Christmas history and American capitalism.
Merry Christmas to all. A Pagan holiday (BC) becomes a Religious holiday (AD). Which then becomes a Shopping holiday (USA).
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 25, 2014
That was retweeted over 15,000 times and further stoked the Internet flames.
He ended his Christmas message on a lighter note:
Santa knows Physics: Of all colors, Red Light penetrates fog best. That's why Benny the Blue-nosed reindeer never got the gig
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) December 25, 2014
Many took issue with his tweets, and lashed out in their replies:
@neiltyson why are you such a bigot towards Christianity? #BigotedHack
— Jamie (@JmeMiller1974) December 25, 2014
.@neiltyson is trolling Christmas today to show you how smart he is. #ScroogeWithaTelescope #Insecurity pic.twitter.com/HL8hQhJMJz
— Bryan Jacoutot (@BryanJacoutot) December 25, 2014
Scrooge. RT @neiltyson: Merry Christmas. A Pagan holiday (BC) becomes a Religious holiday (AD). Which then becomes a Shopping holiday (USA).
— Max Parker (@GameGuyPGH) December 25, 2014
.@neiltyson you're such a joyless bore
— miko (@ChillestBoy) December 26, 2014
@neiltyson overly reductive, deliberately cynical and unnecessarily provocative
why don't you just say #BahHumbug
— Kurt Lockwood (@KurtLockwoodXXX) December 26, 2014
@neiltyson Weather forecast for the deGrasse Tyson household today: smug with a 90% chance of arrogance. #JesusIsTheReasonForTheSeason
— Rep. Steve Smith (@RepStevenSmith) December 25, 2014
And? On this day may there be peace on earth to men of good will. #GetOverYourself @neiltyson
— Lady Hecate (@Hecate40) December 25, 2014