Stephen Hawking admitted Sunday he's an atheist, declaring that science can explain the origins of the universe and that religious beliefs are inconsistent with scientific facts.

After years of speculation, the scientific luminary finally admitted in an interview with the Spanish newspaper El Mundo that he does not believe in God.

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He said, before man understood science, God sufficed as the explanation for everything, suggesting that it was natural to believe in a higher being that governs all.

But now, science can offer more convincing explanations about things, Hawking said in a video posted by the newspaper online.

Hawking proposed in his 1998 book, "A Brief History of Time," that if a unifying set of principles were discovered, it would lead to scientists understanding God's mind. Asked about his earlier religious stance, he explained to El Mundo:

"What I meant by 'We would know the mind of God' is, we would know everything that God would know, if there were a God. Which there isn't."

Conclusively taking an ideological stand he admitted, "I'm an atheist."

The "mind of God" reference is colloquially known as the theory of everything. It offered the possibility of discovering a theory that will provide answers to all problems besetting the scientific community.

Although this is the first time he settled the public's speculations on his religious leanings, this isn't the first time the celebrated physicist has spoken about his religious beliefs.

In 2007, he explained to BBC how his religiosity was atypical. He said he believed that the universe works within the laws of science. God has decreed the laws, but he never intervenes and breaks them, he explained.

In 2011, he admitted to The Guardian that afterlife is a fairy tale made for people who are "afraid of the dark," adding that he doesn't buy the idea of heaven either.

The world-renowned physicist's remarks came ahead of the Starmus Festival that was held in Canary Island from September 22 to 27. 

TagsStephen Hawking, Stephen Hawking atheist, Starmus Festival, mind of God, theory of everything