Well, there's nothing wrong with playing through various types of monitors, but, personally, I don't know that as an electric guitarist I'd ever want to be completely amp-less.  I've played direct, and it's fine, but there are many times where I've played where I'd be up the creek without a paddle if I didn't have an actual amp with me.  I guess I still consider an amp a pretty indispensable tool of the trade for a guitarist who plays in different venues on a regular basis, especially where you don't have any idea what the sound system will be at said venues.  It's like a 9-iron in golf.  It might be possible to play without it, but there are times when you find out you really need it.

I've recently switched from going into a half stack to a powered PA speaker (Mackie TH-15 Thump) in an effort to reduce the amount of gear I lug around, as well as hauling around a full on amp along with the POD seemed like a waste.

If anything I may invest in a small Tech21 Power Engine just in case the sound guy insists on putting a mic in front of a speaker. At worst, our drummer can always use a monitor by his kit to hear me better.