God was required to guide the sheeple through the trials of life pre washing machines

What the article is talking about is the idea that there was no catalyst or beginning to the universe, no master creator(s), involved. No big bang theory, no old man with a long white beard and a week to fill. Was there a "big bang" to start it all or has it always been, always evolving, gods or master supernaturals need not apply.

The Greeks and Egyptians still captivate this along with the Ancient Wonders of the World. All of what lies within these Brilliant Civilization had nothing to do with a Messiah, or Prophesy on any level. Straight Math and Science were the only roads. Religions debunked all of this with totally un documented persons, events and characters all of whom could not read or write as could the persons whom they converted. Does this ring a familiar bell to what we are witnessing at this present moment of American History and how such a transformation could occur. If you have half a load you need not go far to understand what I'm talking about

Although, if it's true, as some propose, that we're living in a computer simulation, we would have to assume that there was a programmer, or group of programmers, and that their lab exists at some point and existed before the universe got here.

To coalesce and unify groups to begin "civilization" and thusly begin humanities trex towards enlightened study of its environment, I believe that a "SUPERNATURAL" unifying idea or "being" had to be created. History bears this out. My point being is that unless we as human beings think or thought of a Universe then it wouldnt exist. Being "Civilized" gave us the ability to exist at peace for enough time to be thinkers.

I've always been of the opinion that the setting precedes the being.

Like god the universe has probably always existed and will continue to do so .

The obvious answer to that question is, since there is no evidence to suggest that any god(s) exist, then a non-existent entity could NOT have done anything. IMHO