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‘Cosmos’ Star Neil deGrasse Tyson, Under Fire Over Christmas Controversy, Answers Critics

Dec 29, 2014  •  Post A Comment

Astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson is responding to critics who claim that a series of tweets showed a lack of respect for Christianity and Christmas, reports TheWrap.com.

Tyson, who is the host of the Fox science series “Cosmos,” sent out a Christmas Day tweet that ended up being retweeted almost 80,000 times as of Monday morning. He wrote, “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.”

He also sent out a series of other Christmas-related tweets, such as,”Merry Christmas to all. A Pagan holiday (BC) becomes a Religious holiday (AD). Which then becomes a Shopping holiday (USA).”

That inflamed critics across the Internet, with some accusing him of “trolling Christmas” and being “deliberately cynical,” reports CNN.

On Facebook, Tyson addressed the backlash, writing, “My sense in this case is that the high rate of re-tweeting, is not to share my enthusiasm of this fact, but is driven by accusations that the tweet is somehow anti-Christian. If a person actually wanted to express anti-Christian sentiment, my guess is that alerting people of Isaac Newton’s birthday would appear nowhere on the list.”

neil degrasse tyson

Neil deGrasse Tyson

7 Comments

  1. Both tweets are very funny. I admire Mr. Tyson for sharing his thoughts. Critics should show more tolerance for others who do not share their beliefs.

  2. I honestly don’t see the problem, Dr. Tyson was simply sending out holiday Greetings to all his followers. If you don’t like the mesaage then be an adult, ignore it and move on. I question the motives of those who are making this an issue of anti-christian message.It’s like Fox network make believe “War On Christmas”.

  3. Funny, it’s those offended by his tweets who should show more tolerance?

    You’ll note he attacked Christians, because they’re the in-vogue target; I wonder if he’d be so quick to jokingly tweet about Mohammed?

    • Although the brouhaha over Mr. Tyson’s tweets came as no surprise, he only said something that ended with an unexpected point.

      He did not (in any way, shape, or form) “attack” Christians. He only said something many of them did not expect (or want… or liked) to hear.

  4. Mr. Tyson merely stated the truth. Funny how the same people keep finding the truth to be so inconvenient.

  5. Tweet on Sir Isaac was funny. Nice twist.
    Tweet on the nature of the Christmas holiday was funny and a bit sarcastic. So, how is it that so many devout Christians are devoid of a sense of humor? Oh, that’s right… They’re not too different from the hard core Muslims, who have NO sense of humor when it comes to Mohammed, etc. But at least they are less likely to kill you.

  6. WHY do “christians” get SO BUTT HURT over ATHEISTS trashing “Christmas”?? ISAAC NEWTON definitely was a scientist but most people don’t even know that he was (just as much of) a BIBLE SCHOLAR, too. AND BORN on December 25th, to boot… smh
    People really need to wake up. Tyson is a despicable man, but FOR A PAGAN WORLDLY ATHEIST to say such things is NOT REALLY unexpected… smh
    Christmas is 100% PAGAN and it is WRONG for “Christians” to CELEBRATE IT ANYWAY!!!!!

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