Hi, I would like to clarify this point, an alter in the house is not only for spiritual calmness but like your parents said, it is also for spiritual protection. Having an alter in the house will ward off spirit attachment. Spirit after attached to humans will feed on their energy, much like a leech. May I propose engaging a psychic to check out your new house energy level, 气场, first before deciding what to do next. This will give you and you wife time to discuss and make sound decisions based on evidence.