Deadlifts are very effective for strength training if you use correct technique, but it is very easy to injure yourself while doing them. If you have someone to teach them to you and correct your mistakes and focus technique, they are very effective. They lead to injuries if you do not know how to do them right or do not focus on technique.

Note that CrossFit is not strength training and strength training normally focus on technique a lot.

So, it may make perfect sense for the OP to refuse doing them normally (after all he does not seem to go after strength training) and for someone going after strength celebrating them.