Original Sin in Arda

[Bill Ferny]

Since Doug opened the can of worms, here's my conclusion regarding Eru if I'm right in my assessment of how Arda fell:

Because Melkor marred Arda before their awakening, we have no choice but to concede that Eru forced elves, men and dwarves (and hobbits) to live in a fallen world. Likewise, there really isn’t original sin in Middle-Earth, or at least original sin as is in the Christian mythos. Evil didn’t come into the world by the choice of elf, dwarf or man. However, since Middle-Earth is a fallen world because of Melkor, the condition of original sin definitely exists in Middle-Earth. So elves, dwarves and humans, though they didn’t initially sin, have to suffer from the condition of original sin. Hmmm… That seems a bit unfair, don’t you think?

Not only that, but elves, for some random reason, just because they were the first to awake, don’t have to suffer from all the effects of a fallen condition. This remains true despite Fëanor’s rebellion and the kin slaying! On top of that they get a nice big retirement house where they get to sit around indefinitely and drink cocktails with the Valar! Grrrrr… That seems extremely unfair!

Like the Númenórians, I would probably be a little peeved off too!