Yeah as Ar-Zigûr mentions, it wasn't really the Valar that did it.

Such is the payment of evil- it often never leaves innocent alone. But the evil would grow too much and the innocent would become more.

I find it hard to believe that Eru or the Valar couldn’t have dealt with the evil without destroying an entire culture. They are gods, after all.

...yes, they could have dealt with evil... by removing Sauron before he ever made contact with Númenor.

Oh yes; sacrificing the Faithful, believing in taking immortality by force despite not having it being their Gift, enslavement of “lesser” Men, etc

What was good and prosperous about it went on to build the Dúnedain Kingdoms of Arnor and Gondor

And what about the Numenoreans who were just going about their lives? The ones who weren’t among the faithful, but weren’t taking an active role in persecuting them? What about the babies? Was everyone who the Valar murdered on Numenor responsible for these supposed crimes? And did any of those crimes warrant death?

As I said, such is the price of Evil. It rarely leaves the innocent alone.

But it wasn’t the so-called evil that exacted that price. It was the Valar, who are supposed to be the ultimate good.

Uh, sure.

So…you’re agreeing with me?