The best answer to those types of questions about Protestants is that they (we) don't meet such a general pattern. For example, many of the older Protestant denominations have much of the "quiet listening", while others are a bit more expressive. With many of the new Protestant churches, the "social gathering" aspect is less of a status symbol issue (I'm part of their clique) or just enjoyable hanging out, and more about moral character and relationship with Christ being best enhanced by time spent with others seeking the same. When I say it's best not to generalize about Protestants I'm talking about the worship experiences, I'm not talking about core beliefs.
About the only things that are general among the Protestants are belief in the five solas -- and with that, a deep respect for our individual relationships with Christ being less dependent on leaders. For example, the belief in sola scriptura (scripture alone tells us the truths of God) means no matter what my pastor says this Sunday it better not disagree with the Bible (mainly New Testament). I and my peers read the Bible on our own repeatedly (in my case I've read the entire thing over 20 times). I've had a few preachers tell me personally that one thing that encourages them to make sure their sermons are accurate is the knowledge that multiple people hearing the sermon know the Bible about as well as the preacher does and a few us would be unafraid to approach him about it later (often in private). It's very analogous to us conservatives often saying we don't need no Supreme Court or anybody else telling us what is or isn't in the U.S. Constitution and we're heavily offended when someone blatantly lies about what the Constitution states.
For example, look at the scores of Methodist churches that have voted to leave the general United Methodist denomination because the leaders have been pushing hedonism. It doesn't matter how many times the leaders have said abortion and homosexuality are good in God's eyes or that they were traditionally good things. The Protestant beliefs of solar scriptura combined with solus Christus (Christ alone) tell the Methodist laity (to use a term common to Catholics) that the clergy can never be a roadblock between the believers and the truth about God. Nor can the clergy flex an imaginary muscle saying that only the clergy can sanction forgiveness or absolution (Christ alone has that authority). This prevents the clergy from being able to go too far in abusing their authority because the laity knows the clergy can't stand between them and God's grace or them and the truths about God.
I know someone who was kicked out of a Methodist church years ago for trying to reform it when he heard that part of the donations to the church's general fund went to support abortion lobbyists and such. He's not a wave maker kind of person -- he quietly took his concern to the local pastor. After months of the local pastor saying he'd look into it (hoping my friend would forget), my friend took the matter to a retired Methodist pastor. Then to elders in his church. Eventually an older lady with wealth pressured the pastor to get rid of my friend.
My friend was heartbroken, but got closer to God. Eventually he joined another church and took his prayers, talents, time, and donations there. He knew that nothing, absolutely nothing, the Methodist leaders could do could in any way separate him from God. Enough people have done this in the Methodist churches and now Methodists are going through a reformation.
My #1 problem with Catholicism is their belief that the leaders are gatekeepers in relationships and grace of God. It's not just that Catholics believe that communion is Eucharist -- it's that Catholics believe the elements don't become the flesh and blood of Christ without an official leader blessing the elements. That means everybody at mass believes the clergy hold all the cards -- an unhealthy church relationship. It's not just that Catholics believe in Purgatory -- it's that Catholics believe only clergy can grant absolution (and of course how that was horribly abused in the past with the coin in the coffers indulgences). It's not just that Catholics believe part of truth comes from tradition -- it's that the clergy determines what traditions define truth. It's not just that Catholics believe in being saved by works -- it's that the clergy determine what works lead to salvation. These combined beliefs make it exceedingly difficult for righteous Catholics to implement necessary reforms among leaders.
There are beliefs among fellow Protestants I disagree with (i.e. a lot of Pentecostal churches believe the initial evidence of Spirit baptism is speaking in tongues, some non-Pentecostal churches believe in the cessation of the 1st Corinthians 12 miraculous gifts, neither of which I agree). But one thing about these various beliefs among Protestants -- none of them believe their leaders have the kind of absolute authority over their relationships with God that plagues Catholics. Therefore, there's a lot less chance the leaders will abuse their authority (though it can happen, but if it does it's often quickly remedied).
Yet, in your post #11, you stated, "Even before the First Council of Nicaea formally canonized the New Testament, the common belief about which writings were holy scripture was to include things written by eyewitnesses of resurrected Jesus and their close associates. That hasn't changed.
So that deflates you're entire ballon of "sola scriptura". There is no Gospel of Luke's Close Associate.
Thank you for your thoughtful response.
It’s nice to “meet” you.
:-)