I agree with OP, I too, prefer the Holy Warrior versions of Paladins over the Oath versions, Oath Paladins are as pointless as Atheist Clerics or Wheelchair bound player characters in a World where the Gods do interact with Mortals and 1st level cleric spells like Cure Wounds and Healing Word can literally fix any broken bones.
The oath version put into the game rules was to give specific types of skill sets for various game worlds. It in now way intended to remove Paladin Deity alignment if the game world uses it, which the Forgotten Realms does.
