Good discussion. I have a thought or two on the Valar and deism. I agree that the Valar largely kept out of the everyday lives of elves, mortals, and all other forms of creation. But at the same time they did occasionally come to Middle-Earth(Orome), and played a hand in human affairs. It was the Valar that were responsible for the overthrowing of Morgoth at the end of the first age. And it was the Valar that petitioned Eru to intervene in the drowning of Numenor.