So...

[Chaerophon]

Sorry, but this one sentence shows that you have understood absolutely nothing about "Christianity". Some Christian individuals or Christian communities might teach such nonsense, but it really is BS.
A statement like "you go to hell if you do not lead a virtuous life" contradicts the very core teachings of Christianity. One of the core teachings of Christianity is that reconciliation with God cannot be achieved by virtue/religious actions/whatever. It is granted by God undeservedly.

I think one can even say that "codification of behaviours" often is sinful. Jesus definately teached quite the opposite of "codified behaviour".

I fully realize that Christianity is not based, at least in outward principle, on "penalty", first and foremost. However, if a non-Christian looks at the teachings and principles of Christ and Socrates and is unwilling to concede, as many are not, that there exists much in the way of real 'difference' in the principles of their teachings, then the fundamental difference that one finds between the two is that only in accepting Christ is one assured of the afterlife. While it may have nothing to do with much of the teachings of the modern church, and even with the teachings of Christ, himself, it was most certainly a BIG part of early Catholic doctrine, and a 'fear factor' that has converted MANY, if not the majority (at least from a historical perspective), of men and women.

Socrates said that in order to live the best life on earth, one's reason, if properly cultivated, will lead one to virtue. Christ said that we are all inherently sinful, and that, rather than reason, it is faith and love that will lead us to, not only better lives on earth, but an afterlife, as well. From a purely pragmatic perspective, it can quite easily be observed that his doctrine requires less work, less inquiry into its realization and involves more payoff. However, if Socrates is right, and the realization of virtue requires little else than the use of reason, then what does the Christian addition of heaven and hell add to the equation but further incentive to pursue the virtuous life to those who are otherwise not equipped with sufficient reason to realize that the virtuous life is the life best lived?