What we seen in Tolkien's work is an example of the use of the concepts of myth
and the baggage that myths' have carried throughout strorytelling history.
While the LOTR especially is much loved and indeed worshipped in many ways
including spiritual ones, it is oft forgetten that it is a work of fiction, and
no matter how deeply we are prepared to dive into the treacherous waters of
authorial intent (or even the myths surrounding that contentious issue) it is
important to remember that a story is a means of entertainment first and a
didactic mechanism second.
tolkien has achieved the ideal - he was woven the ideas of humanness that have
been carried in the themes of myth since time began, with the oldest theme -
the battle for triumph over evil - and encassed it in a social relevance to the
'little man' so often forgotten by the power/money/greed driven ideals of the
20th century and beyond.
Middle-Earth's history via LOTR or whatever work you choose to read is no a
myth, but an encapsulation of inherently understood mythical themes that
resonate far beyond they day of creation.
just my opinion anyway.
(shrug)
