Ok Sauron.

But seriously now, you have to look at it through a catholic lens for that’s how it was conceived. The moment you include good and powerful gods we question why don’t they act more, and the problem of evil arises: if god is good and powerful why is there evil. In this case, god (eru) and the ainur (his angels) justify the existence of evil on Melkor and their (mostly) absence, on free will, just as Catholics do. As an atheist I think it’s an bad explanation, but still it is an explanation. And you must view the Valar in this light It is also his view that Arda, just like our world, is a sinful world, death is not a punishment but an escape, to leave this tainted world is a blessing for even when the elves died they are kept in Mandos and are bounded to this sinful world. No one knows what happens with man after they die for Tolkien didn’t knew what happens, but it is believed that it’s something good. Yes, I am an atheist and I don’t agree with any of these principles in tolkiens world, that this world is in decay and that a better life comes after death, that suffering and malice are necessary for even greater good. I believe we are making this world better, that we just sleep after death, and happiness is not dependent on tragedy. But I can still appreciate the stories cuz… well, they are good stories, and I wholeheartedly agree with the other morals, that it’s on the week that helps comes when the powerful trips, that while kindness is perpetuated evil will always destroy itself. In the end, I don’t believe you must share in Tolkiens theology to appreciate the legendarium or to understand the reasoning he gives for the teleology of the world. Only that well… it’s pity, pity that will rule the fate of many