As a matter of fact, some Linux distros use /etc/rc.conf as well (Arch linux). The way Linux is designed and works is that everything is configurable and rather easily done. This is almost definitely true for *BSD as well, but probably not as easy.

In the case of BSD VS Linux I prefer the model of "Shooting at all directions until you hit" kind of philosophy. BSD is a "Like it or not" kind of OS. While Linux is more of a "Everyone can find a flavor he likes" kind.