If you don't want to deal with the gameplay, if you only want to use Minecraft as a creative tool, you CAN! Not only is there a Peaceful mode in single-player (and possibly server settings?) but there is Creative mode, where instead of gameplay, there is only building.

Also, you make a pretty arrogant assumption when you say Minecraft is trying to be more like a "real video game"-- The monsters and gameplay features are some of the oldest parts of the game, and the main core and crux of development -is- the gameplay of the world, be it the mobs or the Nether or the future additions of enchantment and all else.