Damned if you do, kablammed if you don't

[Lalwendë]

Originally Posted by hewhoarisesinmight

By saying this they would proably be doing Eru's will but then Melkor would smite them. So that's all the good members of the human race gone, leaving all the evil ones creating an even worse race then the one we have at the moment. Is that what Eru really wanted?

We know that had anyone stood up to Melkor and refused to worship him then they'd get their 'gift' of Death and all that. That's a given, surely. But I think that what hewhoarisesinmight (hewhohasalongscreennametotype ) is saying is that if everyone did that, then there would be no good guys left at all to 'resist' anyway! It's a good point to make about the very practical matter of mankind simply surviving.

I hope Folwren is right and that Eru would step in and save some of the men before they all got wiped out!

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by Lalwendë

I hope Folwren is right and that Eru would step in and save some of the men before they all got wiped out!

I agree

Originally Posted by Atrabeth

If we are indeed the Eruhin, the Children of the One, then He will not suffer Himself to be deprived of His own, not by any Enemy, not even by ourselves.

Although this is stated in relation to estel, it is consistent with the depiction of Eru.

Has anyone figured yet the purpose of the merisu smilie?

[Elmo]

I don't really understand your point, Melkor smiting the children will not deprive Eru of them, they will in fact be closer to him (apparently)

[Raynor]

Melkor smiting the children will not deprive Eru of them

I believe your tongue is firmly placed in your cheek . Eru had far greater plans with the Children than to allow this species to be crushed

Originally Posted by Ainulindale, Silmarillion

And they saw with amazement the coming of the Children of Iluvatar, and the habitation that was prepared for them; and they perceived that they themselves in the labour of their music had been busy with the preparation of this dwelling, and yet knew not that it had any purpose beyond its own beauty.
...
[] of their operation everything should be, in form and deed, completed, and the world fulfilled unto the last and smallest.

Some of the reasons of creating the Men is for them to bring their part to Creation, to inherit Arda, and that their deeds should redound to the glory of Eru.

[Elmo]

As is mentionied in this thread, it doesn't seem to be Eru's style to step in and protect men. (to smite them on the other hand... ) If he wouldn't step into his creation and protect men from Sauron why would he protect them from Melkor in this case?

[Raynor]

Originally Posted by hhaim

it doesn't seem to be Eru's style to step in and protect men.

Matters of style can be debated endlessly, however, even if we don't see burning bushes and the likes, the hand of Eru is ever present, esspecially since everything depends on him (cf Silmarillion & Athrabeth).