Distinguished astrophysicist Stephen Hawking has questioned God’s contribution in the creation of the universe, claiming it was gravity, not God that created the universe.

In his just-released new book, titled “The Grand Design”, Mr. Hawking stated that the "Big Bang" is a usual result of the laws of physics, and the universe is capable of creating itself from nothing.

The Grand Design is Number 1 on Amazon’s bestseller list.

But, Mr. Hawking’s views have encountered severe criticism, especially from the spiritual leaders. Rowan Williams, archbishop of Canterbury, has flatly turned down scientist’s claim, saying belief in God is not concerning plugging a gap in explaining how one thing is related to another within the universe.

Criticizing Mr. Hawking’s views, Mr. Williams argued, "It is the belief that there is an intelligent, living agent on whose activity everything ultimately depends for its existence."

Earlier, the spiritual head of Britain’s largest synagogue body, Rabbi Jonathan Henry Sacks, had said that there is a mutual hostility between religion and science, which is damaging to both sides.

Mr. Hawking has been suffering from a neuro muscular dystrophy that has left him almost totally paralyzed. He is merely able to speak with the help of a computer-generated voice synthesizer.