Back towards the party feeling in some congregations, I know what you mean. By now the Protestant denoms are a spectrum of belief and practice. Given how I was raised in the faith such an atmosphere makes me uncomfortable. Other believers are uncomfortable without it. It all boils down to comfort level, familiarity, and perhaps how adventurous a person feels I guess.
Parents will generally decide on what they believe is the right level of involvement and instruction in their religion and ethics, whether or not society approves. This will never change and on the whole (there are some negative examples) I don't generally see much harm come from it. However, regardless of parenting and instruction children are remarkably good at making their own choices once grown. :-)
Oh yeah, hi!