Just my worthless .02
It seems to me, to be a matter of preference. ARF or kit, coffee or tea, Mac or PC. Its what YOU like to do. As far as the safety of ARF's vs kits, a kit can also be poorly put together. I "built" 1 ARF so far, and I changed a couple of things, like the pushrods, instead of using the cheap z bends they put in the kit. So I can't comment on ARF's after 1 experience. I love to build, so kits are the way to go for me, and eventually from scratch. But I would never "shun" anyone for having an ARF. Maybe they just like to fly and have no interest in building. Like I said IMO, its just a matter of preference, and neither "sides" should bash each other.
Joe