Thanks for your further response.

Perhaps following the wrong religion was not the best choice of words, and not following their own religion might have been more accurate in the context of John 8. In the context of the thesis of my whole article, given the post-exilic split in the religion of the Hebrews, I still think it makes sense, especially given Paul's persecution of the Jesus movement.

I would need to do some more research on your next paragraph.

Regarding the Samaritan woman, you seem to be assuming things not actually said in the text. Nowhere does it say that she told her entire town about everything that took place between her and Jesus, merely that he “told me everything I have ever done”, thus his psychic abilities. And she is still unsure whether or not he is the Messiah. Nowhere does the text say that the disciples accompanied her back to the city. You might argue that they must have done, otherwise how would John know the details of the conversation. I would argue that this is further evidence that the episode never actually happened.

I note that you haven't mentioned here the most serious problem from my response, namely that in the Synoptics Jesus's messiahship is a closely guarded secret. If you believe John, do you therefore believe that Mark, Matthew and Luke are lying?