Are Our Minds Independent From Our Brains?

I have  been in heated discussions with proponents of the idea that the mind is independent from the brain. Among several places, these discussions have taken place on the Skeptiko (don't be fooled by the name -- it is very anti-science) website:

http://www.skeptiko.com/

 Below are some links refuting this concept:

PZ Myers presents a brief summary of the issue of Near-Death Experiences (NDEs).    http://freethoughtblogs.com/pharyngula/2012/04/24/the-nde-delusion/

The Secular Web website has a lengthy but thorough analysis of the same subject.    http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/keith_augustine/HNDEs.html

The Secular Web website, again, presents a lengthy but thorough analysis of the whole concept of life after death.    http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/keith_augustine/immortality.html#scicase

The Secular Web website, again, presents a comparison between Naturalism and Supernaturalism and the problems with parapsychological research.    http://www.infidels.org/library/modern/keith_augustine/thesis.html

Steven Novella, neurologist, states the leading hypothesis that the mind is what the brain does.  Read the first two comments as well.

http://theness.com/neurologicablog/index.php/the-brain-is-not-a-receiver/

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For counter-balance (ya, right), here is a recent report of a study of NDEs.  Please note, ALL they are reporting is the usual subjective experience!!!  Where is Dr. Sam Parnia's real research????       http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-89926/Scientists-discover-near-death-evidence.html

Oh, here is the latest from Dr. Sam:  New news same as the old ------ no evidence for an after-life.    http://www.npr.org/2013/02/21/172495667/resuscitation-experiences-and-erasing-death