Neil deGrasse Tyson's Provocative Tweets About Christmas Started An Internet Flame War

Neil deGrasse Tyson undoubtedly hopes you and your family are having a wonderful holiday season. Nevertheless, a series of tweets sent by the astrophysicist on Christmas have incensed some, as he provocatively questioned both the significance of the holiday -- and the reason we celebrate it. Tyson kicked off the tweets by posing this cheeky question to his nearly 2.9 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 Tyson followed up the rhetorical question by wishing a happy birthday to a significant figure who was born on Christmas: 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 Before pausing to reflect on the history of the day: 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 Finally, Tyson ended with a Rudolf-themed physics lesson: 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 The messages drew a strong response across the Internet, with incensed commenters referring to the physicist as "a bigoted hack" and a "satanic shrill," among other names. On Fri...
Source: Science - The Huffington Post - Category: Science Source Type: news