//Is it not fair to say that being a Christian is a seriously joyless existence?//
No, it isn’t fair at all to say that. Whilst it appears that some, despite what they say they believe, are terrified, unsure of their eventual fate, dwelling quite gloomily upon the end of times, sin, retribution, etc., etc., many Christians who adhere to a less complex doctrine live happy lives comfortable in their own ‘certain knowledge’ that they will eventually see their deceased loved ones again – and that’s a happy thought. I never understand why Christians are unhappy when someone they believe is going to ‘heaven’ dies. Surely a time for celebration?
I will always remember a very dear friend of mine, a happy, gentle, and genuinely caring lady, quietly and smilingly singing hymns shortly before she died. She was content. Of course, some would say she wasn’t ‘Born Again’, or she wasn’t a Jehovah’s Witness, or some such other spin off cult of Christianity, and therefore she wasn’t a true Christian – but in my opinion, she was the best sort. Hers was a joyful existence.