Thread safe instance variables

I'm still a bit hazy on thread safe stuff... Many things that I read seem to 
indicate that instance variables are
generally evil and should be avoided "like the plague" (actual quote).  Seems 
to me that is a bit contrary to Java in
general.

If I wanted to use instance variables in a class, would I simply syncronize the 
setters to insure thread safety?

Seems like beans need to be concerned with threads, as they can be run 
simultaneously on a web server.

Any help would be appreciated... I guess I'm still thinking in terms of a 
single path.....

thanks

dan