Renowned astrophysicist and cosmologist Neil deGrasse Tyson angered many Christians this past Thursday when he made a string of Christmas tweets that questioned Christmas history and American capitalism.  According to the New York Daily News, the "Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey" host was only making jokes, but managed to displease many people.

One of his first tweets reads as follows: "QUESTION:  This year, what do all the world's Muslims and Jews call December 25th? ANSWER: Thursday." CBS News reports that this message was re-tweeted over 3,000 times.

His next tweet was about Isaac Newton, and reads, "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." This tweet was re-tweeted over 60,000 times, and received both negative and positive reviews.

One Twitter user wrote, "Hi @neiltyson, trolling Christians on Dec 25 is so EDGY. Please let me know when you troll Muslims on Ramadan. Merry Christmas!" However, another wrote, "Looking fwd to witty jabs during the spiritual days of Islam, Buddhism, Judaism etc. Or is it reserved for the easiest target?"

Tyson went on to make two more tweets, the first reading, "Merry Christmas to all. A Pagan holiday (BC) becomes a Religious holiday (AD). Which then becomes a Shopping holiday (USA)," and the second reading, "Santa knows Physics: Of all colors, Red Light penetrates fog best. That's why Benny the Blue-nosed reindeer never got the gig."

More negative backlash followed, with Rep. Steve Smith responding, "@neiltyson Weather forecast for the deGrasse Tyson household today: smug with a 90% chance of arrogance. #JesusIsTheReasonForTheSeason." Another twitter user wrote, "This is disrespectful to Christians. Jesus created the science you cherish so much. Everyone finds God eventually, you will too."

What do you think of Mr. Tyson's string of Christmas tweets?