Stephen Hawking says that God wasn't necessary for creation of the universe to take place

Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them.
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, Romans 1:19-22

As reported by Associated Press:

LONDON - Physicist Stephen Hawking says God wasn't necessary for the creation of the universe.

In his new book, "The Grand Design," the British scientist says unraveling a complex series of theories will explain the universe. The book, written with American physicist and author Leonard Mlodinow, will be published Sept. 9.

In an extract published Thursday in The Times, Hawking wrote that it was "not necessary to invoke God."

"The Universe can and will create itself from nothing," Hawking wrote. "Spontaneous creation is the reason there is something rather than nothing, why the Universe exists, why we exist."

I don't care how high someone's IQ is or how many degrees he has after his name, that person is an idiot (or, to use a more biblical-sounding term, a Goliath who's really just an uncircumcised Philistine--see I Samuel 17:26) who believes (or rationalizes) that nothing can spontaneously produce something. I suspect that Dr. Hawking's refusal to acknowledge God as Creator is because if he did, that might imply that he might be accountable to this Creator for his life.

And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ: Ephesians 3:9

For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. Colossians 1:16-17

September 21, 2010 update: Dr. Hawking's co-author, Leonard Mlodenow, was a guest on the September 15 edition of the U.S. radio show Coast to Coast AM. The program's website has a poll titled How do you think the universe was created?.
As of 4:35 A.M. Mountain Daylight Time on September 21, here are the results:

It was brought into existence by God. 58.31% (6,770 votes)
The universe was created by a process like the Big Bang-- no deity necessary. 19.71% (2,288 votes)
Don't know/uncertain. 21.98% (2,552 votes)
Total Votes: 11,610

I cast my vote the night the program aired. I find the results surprising, given the show's frequent attention to topics that might be considered "New Age," and its appeal to that kind of audience. Maybe the overall listening audience is more mainstream than the portion that phones in.