The Lord of the Rings Discussion Ch 11 and 12

[The Gaffer]

Well, that makes a lot of sense, in terms of explaining why Tolkien would want to represent evil things as being afraid of water. I would have thought that both theories (water=soul, Ulmo=dude) are compatible with one another

Ulmo was the one valar who never forsook Middle-Earth either (remembers Turin)

However, Gaffer, I have my own theory as to why they feared water but it's too religious and I'd hate to force it on other people

Good instincts there, sir. However, in this case I think we can let you off.