cavediver writes:
If I observe that an applied force of 10N accelerates a mass of 1kg at 10ms
-2, then I think I can state, without being accused of involving metaphysics, that I have no need for a "god" to explain this observation, nor indeed anything else outside Newtonian mechanics.
This is how I read the context.
After understanding some basic physics, it's pretty obvious that no angels are pushing the mass, and no God is involved in the process. It's pretty basic, natural, mundane and deity-free.
Hawking is saying that after understanding the advanced physics, it's pretty obvious that no God is involved in the process of creating the universe. To those educated in such matters, it is equally basic, natural, mundane and deity-free.
He's not saying he
knows there's no God.
He's saying he
knows that no God is involved in the maths required to create our universe. With as much confidence as us normal-folk have in saying that we
know God is not involved in the maths required for us to use a lever to move a rock.
As even a general understanding of Newtonian mechanics can show us that there is no "strange area of the maths" where "something weird happens" and then the lever just works and the rock just moves... Hawking is saying there is no "strange area of the maths" where "something weird happens" and then universes start popping.
When the physical conditions are right for moving the rock (lever in correct location, and right strength)... the rock will move, always, the process is natural and deity-free.
When the physical conditions are right for universes to be created (gravity and other advanced physical-stuffs)... the universe will be created, always, the process is natural and deity-free.