Olympus E-Series DSLR

Is there anyone who can actually use an Olympus E-series DSLR in non-Auto mode? I have an E-500 and an E-510 and they both have the same idiotic shortcomings. In mid-to-low situations, the flash pops-up automatically and the camera will not fire if you close it. Of course the built-in flash adds glare and shadows and washes out any natural low-light scene you are trying to capture. If you put the unit in Manual mode without the Flash up, the autofocus won't work and the camera won't fire. So you turn off Autofocus and try to focus manually, good luck. Even in Manual mode with Manual focusing the camera will not fire if it does not like your exposure settings, which it won't because it can't understand why anyone would want to shoot a low-light image with no flash.That's why God gave us Photoshop! A camera should NEVER under any circumstances refuse to fire at a photographer's chosen settings even if it does not agree with them. What's really laughable is that I can take my Point and Shoot Fujifilm camera and get the shot. The Fujifilm will recommend flash for certain environments, but if I insist on not using Flash, the camera will fire.I generally end up with pretty good shots.
I am so sorry that I bought these cameras, wish I had stuck with Canon or Nikon.
By The Way: I migrated to Digital from 35MM and 645 film cameras so I am not a fumbling, bumbling novice who just does not know how to use the equipment.