There is no clear, coherent argument for or against whole body donation or even organ donation in general. However, there were some similar themes as well as key differences that manifested themselves through the discussion for each religion. Often the ideas presented were the same, just interpreted in opposite ways. The first theme of the relationship between body and soul as separate was almost universally accepted by all except atheists. The atheist representative neither agrees nor disagrees, simply stating that there is no evidence either way. However, the idea that there is a distinctive difference between the soul and the body, although very related, was a common theme across all other religions represented. This manifested itself in different ways, however, as some participants stated that it is because of this connection that any physical damage to the body will have direct effects on the soul, while others stated that this relationship is null after death with the soul moving forward. in another place. For example, the Christian representative explained that since the soul moves to heaven or hell after death, it does not matter what is done to the body. This is in line with the Christian belief that the soul is separate from the body and has a direct connection to God. In contrast, the Hindu and Buddhist belief that the soul is connected to the body until after a proper cremation service means that donating the entire body would negatively affect the soul on its journey to Enlightenment or the next life. Participants said this view is not shared among all Hindus, but is an important factor why more Hindus do not donate. These findings are in line with proposed ideas of the soul as a distinct, separate entity...... middle of paper ......r We Die: The Life and Times of the Human Cadaver (Georgetown University Press, 2010 ) 6. Megan J. Highet, “Snatching and Grave Bodies for Science,” History and Anthropology 16 (2005): 415-4407. L. Ebony Boulware, Lloyd E. Ratner, Lisa A. Cooper, Thomas A. LaViest, Neil R. Powe, “Whole-Body Donation for Medical Science: A Population-Based Study,” Clinical Anatomy 17 (2004): 570-5778 . Sophie Bolt, Eric Venbrux, Rob Eisinga, Jan B. M. Kuks, Jan G. Veening, Peter O. Gerrits, “The Motivation for Body Donation to Science: More than an Altruistic Act,” Annals of Anatomy 192 (2010): 70 -749. Kevin C. Cahill, Raj E. Ettarh, “Student Attitudes toward Whole-Body Donation Affected by Dissection,” Anatomical Sciences Education 1 (2008): 212-21610. R Richardson, B Hurwitz, “Donor attitudes towards donating bodies for dissection”, The Lancet 346 (1995): 277-279