[Gothmog]

alatar:

As an example. the Ainur and Maiar aren't angels but more like relatives - cousins.

A very interesting topic. As I implied in an earlier post, I'd like to know what the Eru=God sayers view of Valar is. Quoting myself:

One thing that I find interesting in the comparing of Eru and God is what that make Valar. Angelic beings you say, but to me Manwe seem to have more power than any archangel of the Christian religion. He's more of a semi-god. M-E is his kingdom, not Eru's domain even if Manwe subordinate to Iluvatar. There's no equivalent in Tolkien's religion.

As alatar expressed so wonderfully; you have to buy the whole meal, not just sample from the buffet and call it dinner.

And to you Folwren: I'm not the right person to answer your question, but I think he meant it to be a mythology of Great Britain. He was somewhat envious of the nordic people and others for their extensive mythology and collection of stories and myths. England has no own mythology. Sure, there's old tales and myths, but they're often not originally english. His "universe" were meant to be the mythology he missed in his own country. That's my opinion...