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 on 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
peddle narcotics.... 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 that
war with themselves and nations that war with themselves; until
each in its turn was consumed. And with promises of higher ratings I’d
have mesmerizing media fanning the flame.
If I were
the devil I would encourage schools to refine young intellects and
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, and
then 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
wanted until I had killed the incentive of the ambitious. What do
you bet I could get whole states to promote gambling as the way to get
rich?
I would
question against extremes and hard work, and Patriotism, and 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 keep on doing on what he’s doing.
Paul
Harvey, good day.
His
story has proven to be all too true!
|
"Though the fig tree may not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines...
Yet I will rejoice in the Lord,
I will joy in the God of my salvation.
The Lord God is my strength...."
Habakkuk 3:17-18 |
