It's not entirely Tolkien's fault, you know. It's hard to outgrow that kind of strong Catholic indoctrination he'd been raise in, even if one tries one's best to do so. And he never even tried. The idea never occurred to him, I think, in those times.

Still, it's sad that he grew so much more rigid in his late years. The other thing I really, really hate is the Awakening, where all Elves supposedly awakened with their spouses ready on their sides, so that free will wouldn't even have the chance to enter the scenery. Bah!