The roman branch of christianity (from which Roman Catholicism and protestantism arise) are hugely influenced by lawyers and roman law, which emphasises sinning and punishment a lot. If you are a sinner your priest is a parole officer.

The eastern christianity still recognises sin, but treats it more like a disease, the priest is more of a doctor.

I find this more appealing from a philosophical point of view, yet I lack any reason to believe.