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.

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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

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