If I Were the Devil: Paul Harvey (1964)

[b2r]

If I Were the Devil: Paul Harvey (Warning for a Nation)

[b2r]

If I Were the Devil

I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree. Thee,

So I would set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the Churches first. I’d begin with a campaign of whispers; with the wisdom of a serpent I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “do as you please”. To the young I would whisper that the Bible is a Myth; I would convince them that man created God instead of the other way around. I would confide that what’s bad is good and what’s good is square. And The old I would teach to pray after me: our father which art in Washington.

And then I’d get organized, I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull and uninteresting, I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies and vice-a-versa, I’d peddle narcotics to whom I could, I’d sell alcohol to ladies and gentlemen of distinction, I’d tranquilize the rest with pills.

If I were the devil I’d soon have families at war with themselves, churches at war with themselves and nations at war with themselves until each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d have mesmerizing media fanning the flames.

If I were the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellect’s; but neglect to discipline emotions, just let those run wild until before you knew it, you’d have to have drug sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door. Within a decade I’d have prisons over flowing, I’d have judges promoting pornography. Soon I could evict GOD from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse and then from the houses of congress. And in his own churches I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I would lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.

If I were the devil I’d make the symbol of Easter an egg, and the symbol of Christmas a bottle. If I were the devil I’d take from those who have and give to those who wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. And what will you bet I couldn’t get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich. I would caution against extremes in hard work, in patriotism, in moral conduct. I would convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun, that what you see on TV is the way to be; and thus I could undress you in public, and I could lure you into bed with diseases for which there is no cure. In other words if I were the devil, I’d just keep on doing what he’s doing.

Paul Harvey

[weltschmerz]

If I were the devil
-----------------
Who? What's a devil?

[busymom]

My Dad used to listen to Paul Harvey.


If this was posted 48 years ago, he got a lot of the future right! We never had a gun found hidden in a locker when I was in school.

[b2r]

[Deleted]

Was that really from 48 years ago???

(Note, I can't view the videos, so all I have to go on is the text in reply #1.)

[billisonboard]

Mar 21, 2012 11:31:47 GMT -5 @investorbob said:

Was that really from 48 years ago???

(Note, I can't view the videos, so all I have to go on is the text in reply #1.)

Yes, this particular lament was 48 years ago. There was a similar one 148 years, 448 years, and also 1448 years ago.

[workpublic]

48 years seems about right. i was first being noticed and talked about, now it's almost complete.

bills got links for the other laments ya mentioned?

Who? What's a devil?

the devil is evil incarnate.
to those who believe good and evil are real forces.

[billisonboard]

Mar 21, 2012 12:56:58 GMT -5 workpublic said:

...
bills got links for the other laments ya mentioned?
...

Not those but here is a picture of one that is even older. It is difficult to read it due to the distance but look closely on the right hand wall to see writing lamenting on things going to hell:

[mmhmm]

This really belongs in Religious Discussions more than in P&M. I'll move the thread there.

mmhmm, P&M Moderator

[b2r]

If I were the Devil....I'd make sure this was seen by as few people as possible!

[Peace Of Mind]

LMAO b2r!!! But it still shows up when you hit New Topics. Just keep bumping it.

[Green Eyed Lady]

LOL!! Bumpity Bump Bump!

[mrsdutt]

I had no idea P Harvey was so wise. This is the same thing we taught our kids. Only love one another and care for each other.

[jarhead1976]

Great thread! " That's the rest of the story"

[weltschmerz]

I would think the delvil's grammar would be better. Just saying......

[weltschmerz]

I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree. Thee,

So I would set about however necessary to take over the United States. I’d subvert the Churches first. I’d begin with a campaign of whispers; with the wisdom of a serpent I would whisper to you as I whispered to Eve: “do as you please”.
---------------------
First of all, only a fool would be happy with an unripe apple. Furthermore, if you were the devil, you'd know that Eve was tempted by a lizard, not a serpent.

[femmefatale]

Sept 17, 2012 16:13:03 GMT -5 @jarhead1976 said:

Great thread! " That's the rest of the story"