[smart (OP)]

How exactly does religious belief may permanently alter synaptic connectivity?

What do you think?

[RD]

Does religion permanently alter brain connectivity?

It's the other way round : mental-illness makes people more likely to join a religious-cult in the first place.

[Bored chemist]

"Does religion permanently alter brain connectivity?"
All experience alters brain connectivity.
That's how you can remember things.