I also support using grease on the threads. Around here any fastener on a bike that isn't greased welds itself in place due to rust after a year.
When you torque down the bolts you don't need or want to do it hard enough that it hurts your hand. Most folks on their bicycle stuff seem to overtorque. Especially the smaller to medium size stuff. And the chainring bolts are at best just barely medium size. You want them tight but there's no need to make them "deathly" tight.