Do you despise the term "branch theory" to describe the rise of different denominations of Christinaity? If so, why?
I don't despise it. I just see as as utter and complete nonsense. It cannot be justified.
Do you believe that your Church is the only, one true Church?
Yes. The Creed tells us that the Church is One, it is Holy, Catholic and Apostolic. If we believe that, then we cannot accept "branch theory".
The Church is One in the Holy, Catholic, Apostolic Faith, and so any group that departs from that cannot be said to be One with the Church, going by the Creed's list of characteristics of the Church.
From this perspective that the Church is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic, such a group as mentioned above, may have
some of the marks of the Church. It may be a community of God-fearing people, striving for or even abounding in holiness. It may have retained
some elements of the Catholic Faith, but insofar as it has failed to recognise or, in some cases, outright rejected elements of the Catholic Faith, and not continued at least a tactile Apostolic Succession, it cannot be said to be One with the Church, its Holiness is compromised, and its faith is not Catholic/Universal bit is instead, individualistic.
If so, how do you view other Christians? Non-Christians?
It isn't my place to comment on other groups claiming the name Christian.
I know that within the Church, we can be assured of God's Truth (for it is his promise to lead us into the Truth) and his Grace, but that
without the Church, we do not know, for without the Church, there has been departure from the Catholic Faith, the Apostolic Succession has, in many cases, been broken and so groups without the Church are not One with the Church. I cannot comment on God's relationship with those
without the Church, I only know of his New Covenant with those
within the Church. However, the Orthodox Church's liturgies are riddled with the the words 'God is a good God and a friend of man', and, in prayer, I entrust those who reject the Church to God's mercy, for the mercy of God is their only hope.
Do you instead believe that the Church is all who believe in Jesus Christ, are baptized and seek to follow Him? If so, how do you view your own Church and other Churches?
The Orthodox Church is the Church founded by Christ and his Apostles. Other groups have chosen to separate themselves from it, and so are not part of the Church anymore.
Do you think your views are normal or average for members of your Church?
Yes.
There is a rather good article
here.
The ROCOR Synod of Bishops in 1931 issued this statement:
Preserving faith in the One, Holy, Universal and Apostolic Church, the Synod of Bishops affirms that the Church never divided itself. The question lies only in who belongs to her and who does not. At the same time, the Synod of Bishops fervently welcomes all attempts of the heterodox to study Christ's teaching on the Church in the hope that through this study, especially with the participation of representatives of the Holy Orthodox Church, they will ultimately come to the conclusion that the Orthodox Church, as the pillar and ground of the truth (1 Timothy 3:15), fully and without error preserved the teaching handed down by Christ the Savior to His disciples.
Also, see ROCOR's anathema against ecumenism:
Those who attack the Church of Christ by teaching that Christ's Church is divided into so-called "branches" which differ in doctrine and way of life, or that the Church does not exist visibly, but will be formed in the future when all "branches" or sects or denominations, and even religions will be united into one body; and who do not distinguish the priesthood and mysteries of the Church from those of the heretics, but say that the baptism and eucharist of heretics is effectual for salvation; therefore, to those who knowingly have communion with these aforementioned heretics or who advocate, disseminate, or defend their new heresy of Ecumenism under the pretext of brotherly love or the supposed unification of separated Christians, Anathema!
