Can the Valar Sentence People to Death?

[Galadriel]

I think, since banishing the Noldor led to their death, why should the Valar stop there?

Okay, forget that. What if Eru came and said, "Do what you want with him." Not that he'd actually say that, or he'd say it very differently, but what then?

[Eomer of the Rohirrim]

Originally Posted by Galadriel

I think, since banishing the Noldor led to their death, why should the Valar stop there?

Okay, forget that. What if Eru came and said, "Do what you want with him." Not that he'd actually say that, or he'd say it very differently, but what then?

Are you saying the Valar effectively killed those Noldor? That's going way too far, if you ask me!

[Morthoron]

Originally Posted by Eomer of the Rohirrim

Are you saying the Valar effectively killed those Noldor? That's going way too far, if you ask me!

Actually, if one was inclined to follow that proposition (ie, the Valar were responsible for the deaths of the Noldor due to their Ban), one might as well say the Valar were responsible for the Kinslaying as well, because it was the Valar who dragged the Noldor to Valinor in the first place. In either case, the concept is flawed, and does not take into account any free will or personal responsibility on the part of the Noldor.

If one follows the story, the Valar do not sentence anyone to death, not even Morgoth. Such punishment is always deferred to Eru, particularly in the case of the Children of Iluvatar. He who gives life is the one who can take it away.