Introduction to the question of whether or not Hinduism is idolatry (avoda zara) - Hindu-Noahide Book Club 1.1 - Same God, Other God by Alon Goshen-Gottstein

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Here we start our first Hindu-Noahide book club, and we are starting out with the book Same God, Other God: Judaism, Hinduism, and the Problem of Idolatry by Alon Goshen-Gottstein.  Here is what we learn from the introduction:

• The author will  make the case that Hinduism is NOT idolatry (Avoda Zara)
• The label of idolatry indicates whether a religion is permissible or not (permissible for Jews or non-Jews is not mentioned but idolatry is impermissible for non-Jews under the Noahide Laws).
• There may be differences between Hindu rituals which seem idolatrous and the actual philosophical and theological understanding behind these (which may not be idolatrous?)
• The question of whether or not Hinduism is idolatry can be related to the question of whether or not Christianity is idolatry; the charge of idolatry against Christianity will be used to understand the charge in Hinduism since the religions are very similar in some terms. 
• Even if there is idolatry in Hinduism, Jews and Hindus may still be worshipping the same god. 
• Hinduism recognizes one god. 
• In Hinduism, god may take physical form and be in all of nature (some Hindus contest this), but when Hindus venerate a physical being or state they only worship the absolute god, not the being or state itself. 

I assert that this book is an attempt to bring Hinduism into the Noahide fold, which would make Hindus a persecuter class of polytheists.