TheSpiritualExplorer

If I Were The Devil: Paul Harvey’s Message and its Relevance in Today’s Society

Paul Harvey’s message in his transcript “If I Were The Devil” has been relevant since it was first published in 1964, and its message still rings true today. In this blog post, we will explore the issues raised in the book and how they have evolved over time, as well as provide examples from current events and popular culture to illustrate our points.

PAUL HARVEY’S ‘IF I WERE THE DEVIL’ TRANSCRIPT
If I were the devil … If I were the Prince of Darkness, I’d want to engulf the whole world in darkness. And I’d have a third of its real estate, and four-fifths of its population, but I wouldn’t be happy until I had seized the ripest apple on the tree — Thee. So I’d 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 versa. I’d pedal 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 that 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 intellects, 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 overflowing, 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 symbols 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 want until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious.
And what do you bet I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get rich? I would caution against extremes and 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 the 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 right on doing what he’s doing.
Paul Harvey, good day.”

The Importance of Moral Values

One of the main themes of “If I Were The Devil” is the importance of moral values. Harvey writes that “if I were the devil…I would promote a complete breakdown of the family, discrediting the Bible and promoting pornography.” These statements are still pertinent today, as the traditional family unit has come under attack and the Bible is no longer seen as a moral compass for many people.

The breakdown of the family is a significant issue in modern society. According to a 2021 report from the Pew Research Center, only 46% of U.S. children live in a traditional family with two married parents in their first marriage. The rise of divorce, cohabitation, and single parenthood has resulted in a loss of stability for many children, leading to negative outcomes such as lower academic achievement and higher rates of poverty.

In addition, the availability of pornography has exploded with the rise of the internet. Pornography has become more extreme and more accessible, leading to addiction and negative effects on relationships and mental health. Harvey’s warning about the dangers of promoting pornography is more important than ever, and it is up to individuals to take responsibility for their own actions and avoid its harmful effects.

Personal Responsibility

Another theme of “If I Were The Devil” is personal responsibility. Harvey writes that “if I were the devil…I would encourage schools to refine young intellects but neglect to discipline emotions.” This statement is still relevant today, as many people prioritize intellectual achievement over emotional and moral development.

Personal responsibility is essential in combating societal ills. Individuals must take responsibility for their own actions and decisions, rather than blaming external factors for their problems. This is particularly important in the context of addiction, which has become a major issue in modern society.

Drug addiction, for example, is a serious problem that affects millions of people worldwide. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse, drug overdose deaths have increased significantly in recent years, with over 93,000 deaths in the U.S. in 2020 alone. While external factors such as poverty and trauma can contribute to addiction, personal responsibility is essential in breaking the cycle of addiction.

Popular Culture and Society

Popular culture and society have a significant impact on our values and beliefs. In “If I Were The Devil,” Harvey writes that “if I were the devil. The young, I would whisper that ‘The Bible is a myth” This statement is still relevant today, as the Bible is often dismissed as outdated and irrelevant in modern society.

Popular culture is often seen as a reflection of society’s values and beliefs. The rise of social media, for example, has led to an increase in online bullying and negative behavior. The prevalence of reality TV shows that glorify materialism and shallow values has also contributed to a decline in moral values.

However, popular culture can also be a force for good. The #MeToo movement, for example, has brought attention to the issue of sexual harassment and assault, leading to greater awareness and change. In addition, the rise of social media activism has given a voice to marginalized communities and led to greater social justice.

In conclusion, Paul Harvey’s message in “If I Were The Devil” is still relevant in today’s society. The issues raised in the transcript have evolved over time, but their impact on society is still significant. It is up to individuals to reflect on the importance of moral values and personal responsibility in combating societal ills. The breakdown of the family, the promotion of pornography, the neglect of emotional and moral development, and the scoffing at the Bible are all issues that require our attention and action. While popular culture and society can have a significant impact on our values and beliefs, it is ultimately up to each individual to make choices that reflect their own moral values and take personal responsibility for their actions.

As we navigate the challenges of modern society, we must remember the importance of upholding moral values and personal responsibility. By doing so, we can work towards creating a better future for ourselves and for future generations. As Paul Harvey said, “In times like these, it is good to remember that there have always been times like these.” It is up to us to learn from the past, reflect on the present, and create a better future.

Citations

By:

Damian Wolff

Posted in:

, , , , ,

Leave a comment