Mario, son of Marcello  writes to
		John R.R. Tolkien
		Valar
		Are Valar pagan Gods or Angels?  J. R. R. T. 12 Merton Street Oxford, UK Dear Mario, The Valar are not gods, although they may be adored as such by Elves or Men. The Valar are angelic powers, whose authority in their respective spheres come from their divine nature. That is, they existed before the making of the world. They were known then as the Ainur. This theology is not polytheist, but monotheist, as there is only one true God and Maker, Eru. As such, nothing is 'pagan' in this legendarium, insofar as it mirrors my christian faith but told simply in another form. I am, indeed, but a sub-creator under God, the true Creator. Sincerely, JRRT