And free will leads to wrong choices, which lead to suffering. God does
not want us to suffer. But he does want us to be free to choose.
And I am not saying that Frodo and Sam deserved *their* suffering. On the
contrary, they suffered for the sins of others, and sacrificed so that others
might live. But that was their choice. No one forced them to walk
into Mordor, and they certainly did not expect to get out again without
suffering.
My Tolkien blog.________________________________________
"‘I think he was a silly little man,' said Councillor Tompkins. ‘Worthless, in fact; no use to Society at all.'
"‘Oh, I don't know,' said Atkins, who was nobody of importance, just a schoolmaster. ‘I am not so sure: it depends on what you mean by use .'
"‘No practical or economic use,' said Tompkins. . . .
. . .
"‘It is proving very useful indeed,' said the Second Voice. ‘As a holiday, and a refreshment. It is splendid for convalescence; and not only for that, for many it is the best introduction to the Mountains. It works wonders in some cases. I am sending more and more there. They seldom have to come back.'"
