There's always someone who didn't get the memo. At a minimum,that would be me and those who wrote the latest edition of Mountaineering: Freedom of the Hills. The girth hitch is conspired legitimate and its use is advocated for several applications, such as tying off short on a piton, etc. Realizing that a girth hitch does cut down on the overall strength, think as you rig. Again, per AKSAR, things rarely, if ever break down at the knots, despite Sherman's experience.

It's always a good idea to retire equipment, especially ropes and slings, before they get too old. i'm thinking that might apply to climbers, too....

They can always find something else knotty to do.