This isn't a "you will immediately die" type of thing, and also differs by area you climb in. In the United States, static anchor material (nylon slings, dyneema slings, Metolius PAS) are very common, people use them, and are fine. Just don't load them dynamically.

I used to use a variety of the above, until I went climbing in Europe. In France specifically, dynamic personals are pretty much always used. Most people either buy one of these (http://www.amazon.com/Beal-Dynadoubleclip-40cm-75cm-LDC40-75/dp/B001MJSOVK), which is what I have and absolutely love, or cut off a length of old climbing rope and use it. Honestly, I would recommend this. Gives you lots of options, and is a non-static system.