When I was a kid (in the 80's), I listened to lots of records - actual vinyl records. We had a collection of children's records including Sesame Street and the like. However, we also had A LOT of Christian music. We had such gems as "Bullfrogs and Butterflies" (we both been born again!), the Polka Dot Bear, Music Machine, and Kid's Praise Album (hosted by a talking songbook named "Psalty").

I was just listening to it again for the nostalgia and was horrified to find just how brainwashed I was. I know my parents had the best of intentions, but no wonder I suffered for so many years struggling with my lack of belief.

With such lyrics as "I know that Jesus loves me, I know that I love him, and every day I tell him, I'm so glad we're friends."

Psalty the Songbook guilt-trips the kids into singing his songs by crying. Then when they feel bad for him, lets them know that the only way to sing his songs is to "think happy thoughts about...Jesus. Like he's your lord and savior, and he loves you so very much." The whole album is a skit about how people need to praise Jesus more, not just by singing, but by singing Praise! from the heart! ugh.

Man oh man, it just gets better from there. After my initial shock and horror, I started finding the lyrics hilarious. Themes and ideas (Jesus loves me!) are repeated so often, it's clearly part of the brainwashing I went through.

So did any of you ever listen to these or other records (or CD's)? Are they funny or painful for you to listen to/think about now?