I started attending a buddhist temple regularly for a couple years now. From witnessing what I don't like about what my sister is doing to her kids and the problems she has, I have grown to appreciate having a structure outside the family to teach moral values. I definitely don't think the parents should be the absolute moral authority because children are with them all the time and see them when they inevitably slip. Also, religious institutions have a lot more experience teaching morality than any parent would have.

Yes theres the issue of indoctrination etc, but people need some humility and realize they likely can't do things as well without it.