Stephen Hawking, a pioneering theoretical physicist, was known for his views on God and the afterlife. In interviews and writings, he asserted that scientific laws, not a divine creator, explain the universe’s existence.

Hawking, who identified as an atheist, argued that religions are based on unproven faith rather than empirical evidence. He believed in “spontaneous creation,” suggesting that the universe could emerge from nothing due to natural laws like gravity.

In his final book, Brief Answers to the Big Questions, he dismissed the idea of an afterlife, stating that belief in it is wishful thinking without scientific support. Despite his views, Hawking respected others’ right to their beliefs, emphasizing that science offers a more plausible explanation for the universe’s origins.