Board Thread:Fun and Games/@comment-27912807-20160818093248/@comment-26322120-20160819164130

However, there are certainly many parallels between between the Valar and polytheistic religions. Of which most did have some omnipotent force, that was basically Eru. If you search ¨Define god,¨ you are given this:

1. (in Christianity and other monotheistic religions) the creator and ruler of the universe and source of all moral authority; the supreme being.

2. (in certain other religions) a superhuman being or spirit worshiped as having power over nature or human fortunes; a deity.

Therefore I would argue that one could claim the Valar to be gods.