[Tar-Telperien]

hewhoarisesinmight, what a great question! I had never taken such a line of thought before. We know that this world was destined to be under the Dominion of Men eventually. Melkor did more than just about anyone to get the immortals (who Men really can't abide the proximity of for long, for a host of reasons) out of the area. In so doing, he himself (who was also an immortal, and so would have to leave eventually too) was massively weakened, allowing him to be taken from the world so Men could eek out some sort of free existence in it. This is an interesting way of viewing the situation. And after all, "Men most resemble Melkor of all the Valar". It would be easy to see him as a sort of benefactor.

However, since it was precisely Melkor's influence that caused the fear of death in Men, the good things he initiated tend to get cancelled out in my mind.

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

Just what was it that made Melkor such an attractive proposition? What was it that made Eru and Valar unattractive?

Assuming your question is supposed to echo the thoughts of Men when they first came into the world and met Melkor, the "Tale of Adanel" answers it fairly clearly. Men took Melkor as their master because he was the only one who would give them quick and easy answers about Life, the Universe, and Everything: "Therefore we revered him, and we were enthralled by him; and we depended upon his gifts, fearing to return to a life without them that now seemed poor and hard." Of course Men loved him. He was the only one who would pay them any attention; Eru had told them he didn't want to directly answer their questions, but preferred that they discover the answer for themselves. And we all know how much Men love attention.

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

And also, I'd think that for example the Númenoreans who worshiped Melkor (convinced that Eru is a phantom - TP???) would be quite, you know, perplexed after death. But these are just speculations, only random thoughts on that topic.

You don't say. "...[T]hey were afraid to die and go out into the dark, the realm of the lord that they had taken; and they cursed themselves in their agony," according to the Akallabêth.

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Which brings me to - hewhoarisesinmight, you are actually saying, I believe, more or less the things that Sauron said to Ar-Pharazon. "His name is Melkor, the Giver of Freedom."

Well, Sauron said and meant more than just that. It wasn't just that Melkor would give Men strength to defy the Valar; it was also that denying Eru's existence, and the rightful supremacy of the Valar, made the Valar look like extremely malevolent Powers. By making the world seem like it was divided between the Valar and Melkor only, Sauron could easily tell the Númenóreans that they had denied Men immortality for no good reason at all and favored the Elves instead. Viewing the Valar in this sort of light makes them look cruel indeed! Hence the outright hatred and mistrust the Númenóreans had for everything they did.

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

2) I highly doubt that the Men would have "peaceful life". We saw this at Númenor, and I think if Melkor ruled M-E, it would look similar. For example I highly doubt that most of the people there would like to participate on these human sacrifices (not mentioning that you always need someone to sacrifice).

I would.

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

Mmm... also reminds me at the times of Ar-Adunakhor and further, the Elves ceased to come back to the shores of Númenor...

Well, technically it was during Ar-Adûnakhôr's time that the Elves stopped coming, yes... but they actually continued to make secret voyages to Númenor until Ar-Gimilzôr's time. :P

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

And I consider it important to have in mind that if there was "freedom" (if they'd have any, see #2) for which they could thank Melkor, they'd have to thank the same way Ulmo for water, Manwë for clouds, Yavanna for fruit and trees and vegetables, and so on.

But the Valar didn't give us nice gifts and the answers to life that we looked for!

Originally Posted by Legate of Amon Lanc

And, please, mainly: Whatever Melkor did for Men's "freedom", it was obviously unintentional.

Are you absolutely sure about that?

Originally Posted by Volo

Melkor should have been allowed to destroy the human race, if it was his intention (Was it?). Eru was just too gready to let go of his Children. The destruction of either Melkor or the human race would have been the greatest gift to Men.

I sometimes feel this way too. If Men got so corrupted that Eru had to alter their lives that much, and if that potential was inherent in their being, then why should they have existed at all? Particularly if so much (namely the future of the world) depended on them.