More than half a century ago, renowned radio commentator Paul Harvey delivered a chillingly prophetic speech that has resurfaced in discussions today.
Harvey, known for his distinctive voice and insightful commentary, reached millions of listeners during his career. In a broadcast on April 3, 1965, he warned of a future that, to many, seems eerily similar to our present day.
Harvey’s essay, titled “If I Were the Devil,” imagines what strategies the devil might use to corrupt society. He spoke of influencing people subtly, whispering lies and half-truths to lead them astray. Harvey suggested that the devil would twist values, make harmful behaviors seem normal, and erode the foundations of morality and faith.
He warned that the devil would target the young by questioning religious beliefs and promoting the idea that what’s wrong is actually right. Harvey predicted a culture where work is undervalued, and self-indulgence is celebrated. He foresaw the spread of destructive habits like substance abuse and the diminishing influence of religion in public life.
”If I Were the Devil If 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”
Harvey’s words from 1965 are seen by many as a striking reflection of current societal challenges. His speech has been shared widely on social media, with people remarking on its relevance to the issues we face today, from the erosion of moral values to the rise of divisive ideologies.