[JennyHallu]

I find the comparison of Numenor-that-was to Eden interesting. A special place, given to the faithful, with a single, simple rule, all too easily broken under the influence of the fallen one. The difference was, there were enough people on Numenor that not all shared equally in the blame. The Castamirioni were absolutely guilty--but the Faithful, who had protested and denied involvement in the actions leading to the Fall, were not completely bereaved of the blessings they had been given. And if you look at it that way, that the Faithful still carried the innocence and gifts of Eden with them in the world, then it makes sense for those blessings to be more a matter of mindset than genetics.