Right-Wingers on Twitter Blow Up After Neil DeGrasse Tyson Tells a Few Harmless Xmas Jokes
Celebrity Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson took to Twitter over the holidays to send out a bunch of Christmas related jokes, but not everyone took well to the lighthearted jabs, some even thinking that they were an attack on the holiday and the Christian religion.
And while Tyson’s posts got quite a few fans and retweets, they seemed to cause a bit of a Twitter outrage among Christians and Conservatives who just don’t think it’s right to tell jokes about Christmas.
It all began innocently enough with this harmless quip that's probably been told by thousands of comedians:
QUESTION: ThIs year, what do all the world's Muslims and Jews call December 25th? ANSWER: Thursday— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@Neil deGrasse Tyson) 1419521434
And then this remembrance of the father of modern physics:
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 (@Neil deGrasse Tyson) 1419521883
Upset Tyson was making light of the holiday, some commenters on Twitter decided to fight back:
@AJDelgado13 @neiltyson Only a small & uncharitable man would take time on Xmas morning 2 take shots but Merry Christmas to you anyway Neil.— Don Schaum (@Don Schaum) 1419526395
And it got worse:
This didn't deter Tyson, who followed those tweets up with some valid social commentary...
Merry Christmas to all. A Pagan holiday (BC) becomes a Religious holiday (AD). Which then becomes a Shopping holiday (USA).— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@Neil deGrasse Tyson) 1419522862
...and, of course, some physics lessons:
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 (@Neil deGrasse Tyson) 1419523400
And then it got really ugly. For example:Â
and...
@neiltyson are you also gonna attack the Islam, Jewish, Buddhist faiths or are you a pussy and only gonna attack the easy target— DEX (@DEX) 1419617970
Well, so much for the warmth of human kindness this holiday season.