It looks like you're using an Ad Blocker.

Please white-list or disable AboveTopSecret.com in your ad-blocking tool.

Thank you.

 

Some features of ATS will be disabled while you continue to use an ad-blocker.

 

If I Were The Devil - by Paul Harvey

page: 1
3

log in

join
share:

posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 01:38 PM
link   
It's not often you run across gems like this.

I remember listening to Paul Harvey when I was a kid. He was my favorite radio personality. It couldn't have been the news he was speaking. I think it was more about his voice as being calm, soothing and just believable. He didn't share opinions but he was very philosophical in his words, leading you to think or ponder his message and understand the right of it.

It's often weird to go back and listen to some of his news casts because his little bits of knowledge and wisdom, now some 40 years later, is right on the head... This guy was a prophet for the modern age.



For the video blind:
- Keep in mind, there are many versions of this going around the internet that's "supposed" to be from Harvey himself but are forgeries. This is the correct version.


If I Were the DevilIf I were the Prince of Darkness I would want to engulf the whole earth in darkness.

I’d have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree.

So I should set about however necessary, to take over the United States.

I would begin with a campaign of whispers.

With the wisdom of a serpent, I would whispers to you as I whispered to Eve, “Do as you please.”

To the young I would whisper “The Bible is a myth.” I would convince them that “man created God,” instead of the other way around. I would confide that “what is bad is good and what is good is square.”

In the ears of the young married I would whisper that work is debasing, that cocktail parties are good for you. I would caution them not to be “extreme” in religion, in patriotism, in moral conduct.

And the old I would teach to pray — to say after me — “Our father which are in Washington.”

Then I’d get organized.

I’d educate authors in how to make lurid literature exciting so that anything else would appear dull, uninteresting.

I’d threaten TV with dirtier movies, and vice-versa.

I’d infiltrate unions and urge more loafing, less work. Idle hands usually work for me.

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 would encourage schools to refine young intellects, but neglect to discipline emotions; let those run wild.

I’d designate an atheist to front for me before the highest courts and I’d get preachers to say, “She’s right.”

With flattery and promises of power I would get the courts to vote against God and in favor of pornography.

Thus I would evict God from the courthouse, then from the schoolhouse, then from the Houses of Congress.

Then in his own churches I’d substitute psychology for religion and deify science.

If I were Satan 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. Then my police state would force everybody back to work.

Then I would separate families, putting children in uniform, women in coal mines and objectors in slave-labor camps.

If I were Satan I’d just keep doing what I’m doing and the whole world go to hell as sure as the Devil.



Paul Harvey wrote this essay and over the years updated it to become what it is now. Enjoy!


I believe this is the first draft he published in one of his news columns. It's very similar but does have some changes:


If I were the prince of darkness, I would want to engulf the whole world in darkness.I’d have a third of its real estate and four-fifths of its population, but I would not 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, and I would 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 the children that man created God instead of the other way around. I’d 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 are in Washington …”

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 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 but neglect to discipline emotions. I’d tell teachers to let those students run wil. And before you knew it, you’d have drug-sniffing dogs and metal detectors at every schoolhouse door.

With a decade, I’d have prisons overflowing and judges promoting pornography. Soon, I would evict God from the courthouse and the schoolhouse and them from the houses of Congress.

In his own churches, I would substitute psychology for religion and deify science. I’d lure priests and pastors into misusing boys and girls and church money.

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.

What’ll you bet I couldn’t get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich?

I’d convince the young that marriage is old-fashioned, that swinging is more fun and that what you see on television is the way to be.

And thus, I could undress you in public and lure you into bed with diseases for which there are no cures.

In other words, if I were the devil, I’d just keep right on doing what he’s doing.


edit on 19-3-2020 by StallionDuck because: (no reason given)



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 01:45 PM
link   
There is no devil and utilizing one as a cornerstone of human philosophical beliefs is the demonstration of a weak mind.
Terry McGuire...Goooood daaay



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 02:44 PM
link   
The collective is starting to resemble the devil. It's happening pretty quick too. If you don't get caught up in the propaganda of panic and fear whether it's man caused global warming or virus pandemics it's off with your head. That's the game plan. Collectivism vs Individualism. Collectivism is of the devil and Individualism is of God. Thats the way I see it.



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 02:49 PM
link   
If I were God I'd get a bunch of slaves to do everything

Norwegian lesbians that feed me grapes and know how to sing

If I were God thou shall not wear tube socks with Flip-Flops

Thou shall sit and thou shall spin thou shall even wife swap



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 02:51 PM
link   
But would I be a good Messiah with my low self-esteem?

If I don't believe in myself would that be blasphemy?

Just sport some crummy "holier than thou" facade

Yeah that's what I would do if I were God



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 04:02 PM
link   
a reply to: StallionDuck
A prophet? Hardly.

Just another talking head and media mouthpiece.



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 04:42 PM
link   

originally posted by: Lysergic
If I were God I'd get a bunch of slaves to do everything

Norwegian lesbians that feed me grapes and know how to sing

If I were God thou shall not wear tube socks with Flip-Flops

Thou shall sit and thou shall spin thou shall even wife swap




Heavens no

Hell yeah
edit on 19-3-2020 by StallionDuck because: (no reason given)



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 04:45 PM
link   
a reply to: TerryMcGuire

I'm curious as to if you and Klassified are under the age of 40 maybe under 30 even?

Just a guess.



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 05:09 PM
link   

originally posted by: StallionDuck
a reply to: TerryMcGuire

I'm curious as to if you and Klassified are under the age of 40 maybe under 30 even?

Just a guess.

Twice that. I know who Paul Harvey is. I grew up hearing him.



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 05:14 PM
link   
a reply to: StallionDuck

Come on, you like midget porn and you know it. Don't play high and mighty here where everyone knows BS when they see it.



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 06:04 PM
link   
a reply to: StallionDuck

Just to slake your curiosity,I'm 73. But if you believe in the devil, you also believe that he is the father of lies and that one of his chief tactics is to get people to believe that he doesn't exist. I believe that that can be found some where with in that Harvey text. Sooo, as I have denied the existence of the devil, that would make me under his spell and likewise a liar. So would it help your curiosity if I were to tell you that you are right, and I'm only 27? Or maybe 35?. For that matter I suppose it would not matter what age I told you I was as I am to you only an anomalous poster on an obscure web site...that is if I am a liar under the spell of the devil.

So, if that doesn't slake your curiosity I imagine I can't help you. But, I am 73.


Or maybe 78.




posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 08:08 PM
link   
a reply to: Klassified

80?

Offer some insight from your perspective about your experience with PH growing up.



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 08:14 PM
link   

originally posted by: olaru12
a reply to: StallionDuck

Come on, you like midget porn and you know it. Don't play high and mighty here where everyone knows BS when they see it.



Love little people porn!

See what I did there?

Who's playing high and mighty? It's something I ran across today and thought I'd share. If others don't like it... big deal. Others will appreciate it. I don't need the stars or flags. I get my points for playing 'pew pew' on my rig and I promise the stuff that I play, there are no forum rules on language or words in general. You know what I mean.

I come to ATS for the chatter. For the cool topics, the weird stuff and yeah, sometimes for the argument when I can't wrap my head around some of the lines of thinking here. Still, I aint mad at ya. Enjoy it - or dont - discuss it - or dont.

¯_(ツ)_/¯



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 08:23 PM
link   
a reply to: TerryMcGuire

Very cool. I knew we had elders here but didn't realize Ive been talking to them all this time
I'm not doubting you and I'm genuinely interested in knowing how you've gotten your view of PH.

The whole point wasn't to make you believe in the devil. Not even close. He's describing the role of evil and how it works.

Some people say - follow the money. or how you can describe evil taking over your lives. Common sense tells me that his words are correct. Now if you don't believe in God or the devil, no big deal but that's not what this is about.

It's general chatter, not in the religious or politics forum.

I can understand why you would think that I was calling you out by age but like I said, I genuinely wanted to know. I think calling you feeble or any other tag that goes with 'late age' could have been a retort but I don't think I've ever made a post here pounding on someone elses beliefs or non beliefs. Why would you? I'm not as old as you, thankfully - getting out of bed already sucks - but my perception of living history only goes back so far. If it treads on familiar ground and you can teach a lad then I value your input.

If we can get past religion - can you offer any thoughts on your view of PH and how you came to them?



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 09:33 PM
link   
a reply to: StallionDuck

And when they nail my pimpled ass to the cross

I'll tell them I found Jesus that should throw them off

He goes by the name Hay-sus and steals hubcaps from cars

Oh Jesus can I borrow your crowbar?

To pry these God damn nails out they're beginning to hurt

Crucified and all I got was this lousy T-shirt

"I Can't Believe It's Not Butter!" I'll sing as I'm flogged

Yeah that's what I would do if I were God
edit on 19-3-2020 by Lysergic because: ^_^



posted on Mar, 19 2020 @ 11:55 PM
link   
a reply to: StallionDuck

You know I think I would like to do that. Toss out a few thoughts and hear your thought on them.

Somewhere, lately, I heard someone say a simple thing. It may have been Jim Brockmire, the baseball character played by Hank Azaria. Whatever, it was a simple approach to life. Something like ''change your ''or's '' to ''and's''.
When I heard that is was familiar in a way, as if I had been watching a quiet pool with fish swimming around yet not clearly visible, just ripples in the water and shadows in the depths. Over the last day or so the fish started jumping and I began to put together a number of the ripples and shadows in conscious coordination and as you have asked, I would like to disscuss this with you, if you like.

Not tonight though as I use my typing ability to regulate my thoughts and at this moment, I am working on a laptop as opposed to my ergonomic board at my desktop. So if you read this before I get to my office in the moring, I will have been thinking on it more and get back to you then.



posted on Mar, 20 2020 @ 02:12 PM
link   
a reply to: TerryMcGuire

I once read that Aristotle was instrumental in setting up this ''either or'' conundrum that permeates our popular philosophies. That of course in tune with the religious teachings that established a ''good or evil'' For me now, ''and'' is a third choice that allows gradients of what many believe to be monolithic ''right or wrong''

By thinking in terms of ''right AND wrong'' and '' good AND evil'' we can then consider that right and wrong and good and evil all come from the same place instead of from opposite corners of reality.







 
3

log in

join