I have tied quilts and I totally agree that a tied quilt is just as much a quilt as a quilted one. My grandmother made quilts, often multiple ones, for every member of the family, every baby that was born, and they were ALL tied.
I have one that I tied because I wasn't going to hand quilt it as it is done on muslin foundation. It's not totally bound yet (has been years) and I think I am going to cut the ties, get new backing, and quilt it on my new long arm.