Christian culture places great value on acting happy. It mandates that if you know Jesus you will know peace and joy, and it parlays these two things into acting as if everything in your life is perfect. (Remember, you are a walking advertisement for Jesus.) Interestingly, the Bible doesn’t once mention Jesus laughing. It talks much more about his lamenting than his rejoicing and it says he was a “man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.” (Isaiah 53:3)

Children are taught to act happy and be grateful. Refusing to smile for pictures is unacceptable. Being sorrowful or angry is de-emphasized and for the most part is considered somewhat shameful.