Actually I expanded the topic of conversation to delve into the motivations of the players making these selfish requests; I didn't simplify it one bit. You want to eliminate an option that adds textured detail to the personalities of the characters. If anything you're fabricating that rift because you won't set aside your mindset: You want to have your cake and eat it too. There doesn't need to be a rift if you simply make a choice to not be concerned about the numerical effects your roleplay has. You simply have to treat it as natural aptitudes your character has that are untrained. There's no dichotomy unless you are convinced that every numerical bonus your character has must be hand selected by you and must be specifically tailored to the strengths/weaknesses you decide for your character. What is more rigid than believing things must be removed because they don't fit your plan?
Based on this exert and others, I think you're grossly overestimating the vehemence to which I hold this position, which I'll take part responsibility for. I don't really want to "eliminate" anything, merely suggest that this system can do harm if poorly implemented. But if the stat bonuses given are, as you say, ultimately going to be negligible (smaller then, let's say, 5%) then I see no reason why it can't keep on existing as a textural detail. If my being a good thief was contingent on liking jam or some such, I'd be a more steadfast opponent of it.
A few small stat bonuses here and there, though? No worries.
