I am running Javaless at the moment as, when Firefox disabled it, I just removed it.
Since there are many programs that use Java technology I will have to deal with it at some point.

       As OS vendors get better about patching their own flaws, malware authors are increasingly turning to third-party code to get their dirty work done, and Java is high on the list. It’s easy to say, “Just don’t use Java,” but what if a program you use requires it? I’ve got a list of problem apps and solutions… “

Source:  ZDNet
 How big a security risk is Java? Can you really quit using it?