I don't personally think it's hugely important whether one prefers the framing of self over soul. The woman told a tale that credibly suggested she got something of his consciousness in the exchange, not just his physical organs.

I realize it matters a whole lot to most people which framing gets used. Again, this is why I did my best to qualify it.

The existence of the self, and it being seated in physical organs, is noncontroversial, and in no way particular associated with the spiritual belief of people who go to church. The idea that the self is seated somewhere distinct from the body—the soul—is. So, I think that the “framing” is quite relevant to the connections you tried to draw upthread.

Which isn't to say it's not an interesting anecdote (though, on its own, of very little probative value) either way.

It seemed pertinent to that line of thinking.

There's a fairly rich history of Western Christians who were serious scientists and also sincere believers in God who argued that belief is a matter of faith, God is not provable and there is zero contradiction between being both a Christian and a scientist.

I don't have some personal need to relitigate that point. I'm very aware that some people frame things in terms of religion and some don't.

I don't personally feel it is critically important to pick a camp in order to see the story this woman told as intriguing and potentially casting light upon or at least calling into question some of our current framing concerning brain death being the single most important detail.

I know it's a touchy subject for most people. Whether they believe in a soul and a religious/spiritual framing or not, they tend to feel strongly that the other camp is in the wrong and that this is a really big deal.

I generally agree with the conclusion that "being a believer" is a matter of faith. Some people believe. Some don't.

I believe in souls and reincarnation and so forth. My ex did not. Everyone swore that a marriage could not work if you didn't have the same belief system in that regard.

We both believed in the American Constitutional right of freedom to believe as you saw fit. It was the only thing we didn't fight about in two decades of non stop arguing.

Having different points of view in this matter had no bearing on the decision to divorce.

I think if you’d said “‘self’ is more than just the (brain|connectome)”, a lot more people would agree with you.