obviously, brakes make a bike safer.
some people are able to adequately control a bike without brakes, and don't use brakes. for various reasons.
some people are able to adequately control a bike without brakes, but choose to ride with brakes anyway.
some people are unable to adequately able to control a bike without brakes, but choose to ride without brakes anyway because they like the way it looks, or is trendy, etc.

it is not my place, nor is it anyone elses, to judge another's choices unless they directly put us in danger. which is not likely.
it is most certainly not our place to judge another's choices based on whether we feel they are, as cyclists, more or less "authentic" as we.
it is most hypocritical to judge another for making a choice based on aesthetics, since we all do it to some extent.

CLIFF NOTES: stop