Please explain what is difficult to ascertain about Maimonides' view. In Hilchot Avodah Zarah, chapter 9, halacha 4, he states explicitly, "Hanotzrim ovdei avodah zarah hem...." (trans.: The Christians are idolaters...)[[User:Tzvi|Tzvi]] 21:34, 24 September 2006 (EDT)
== Continued... ==
Thinking further, this whole piece is very misleading. The "orthodox view" presented really is the view of Maimonides. I have looked in Hilchos Makholos Assuros in the editions that I have and there is no mention of Notzrim. The reference in Hilchos Avodah Zarah is as explicit as you can get.
Furthermore, the "liberal orthodox" view is even more misleading: The Tosafos and the Rema mentioned are not discussing whether Christianity is Avodah Zarah--they are discussing whether a Jew can be responsible for a Christian taking an oath: Is the god he will be swearing to the one G_d of heaven and earth, or a trinity? Since, in their words, his intent is to the One Maker of Heaven and Earth, we are allowed to bring him to an oath. But that cannot be extended to stating that someone who attends a church full of icons and bows to them, invoking the trinity repeatedly is not an idolater![[User:Tzvi|Tzvi]] 16:13, 25 September 2006 (EDT)