I always hear, and I think I understand, about the negative aspects of gluing end-grain, or cross-grain, to long grain. Wood movement, stress and possible cracking/splitting etc.
So, mortise/tenon (including bridle joints), half-lap joints, and any rail and stile joints (cope and stick or otherwise) all violate this adage. What keeps the stresses from breaking the joint when you glue up any of these, not allowing for wood movement?
George