I agree with McGrath -- much of the difference is in the delivery, and the instrumental arrangement, as well. It's a bit like movie music: you don't always notice it, but when those violins (or pedal steel guitars) swell, it has an emotional effect which would be quite different if they'd used, say, distorted electric guitar.

What triggers my gag reflex are Jesus songs -- I'm not talking about the exuberant black gospel kind, but the maudlin whitebread ones, the likes of which sometimes are posted here.

Cheers,
Michael