Are they a false equilivancy?
Yes.
Both made statements based on their assessment of reality for and against groups of people.
First off hawking made statements based on verifiable data and reviewed research.
The people who are having joygasms over hawking's death and imagined suffering in hell are basing their statements on 2,000 year old bronze age stories that were collected with the intent of creating a sociopolitical power block as Constantine did and have been largely disproven upon study. For example, despite the views that hawking's critics hold to believe you cannot drink poison and not die due to strong faith, there is no firmament above earth holding water, etc.
Hawking did not take delight in human suffering.
Those who are currently rejoicing in imagining his in agony now clearly do.