Resurrect Cobb County Spiritually!

Why There Is A Need To

Resurrect Cobb County Spiritually!

During the beginning of 1998, it was discovered through research and the local newspapers that there are several codes, policies, and zoning laws which the Cobb County Board of Commissioners have ultimate responsibility for. The bad legislation and policy serves as an unnecessary burdens and yokes of spiritual wickedness in the high place of Cobb County, Georgia, United States of America (USA).

We wish to think that the bad legislation is in effect unconsciously by the Board since other governing actions on the surface seem to have the best interest of Cobb County at heart. But we must do whatever it takes to have the bad legislation either repealed, removed, or amended from its present condition since the misunderstanding and misapplication of the separation of church and state has created real barriers to the long-term health and benefit of Cobb County and its citizens.

We are standing strong due to the following Scripture.

Ephesians 6:10-13 states, "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places".

There are three areas in which the Cobb County Board of Commissioners have overstepped the recognized, but often misunderstood separation between church and state.

Zoning laws:

Within Cobb County, there are zoning laws to establish minimum requirements for churches, chapels, temples, synagogues, and other such places of worship.

For a governing body to place minimum or maximum requirements upon a church is totally opposite of how the separation of church and state is commonly understood.

To state any requirement for any church either prohibits, limits, or effectively eliminates the possibility of the Word of God from being heard.

As obtained from the Cobb County Manager's Office (770-528-3307), on page CD134:311, the current zoning laws include such requirements as:

"a.Minimum lot size is five usable acres, excluding flood plain.

b. Primary access to the facility shall be from an arterial or major collector roadway.

c. Structures associated with the use shall be located a minimum of 50 feet from any property line.

d. Structures associated with the use shall be limited to 55 feet in height.

e. When abutting any residential property line, a 35-foot landscaped screening buffer shall be approved by county staff (see landscaping standards).

f. An overall parking and landscape plan for the entire site shall be approved by county staff.

g. One paved parking space shall be provided per four seats in the principal place of worship; provided that the number of spaces thus required may be reduced by not more than 50 percent if the place of worship is located within 500 feet of any public parking lot or any commercial parking lot where sufficient spaces are available by permission of the owner without charge, during the time of services, to make up the additional spaces required.

h. A lighting plan shall be approved by the division manager of zoning or his designee in accordance with section 134-269.

i. A church may have an accessory cemetery with the following minimum requirements:

1. Minimum lot size is two usable acres for a cemetery in addition to the five-acre requirement for a church.

2. When abutting any residential property line, a 50-foot natural or landscaped buffer shall be approved by county staff (see landscape standards).

3. Ingress and egress shall be provided.

4. Compliance with all state requirements is required.

j. A church may have an accessory school with the following minimum requirements:

1. Minimum lot size is three usable acres for a school in addition to the five-acre requirement for a church.

2. Minimum public road frontage is 100 feet.

3. An overall parking and landscape plan for the entire site shall be approved by county staff.

4. One paved parking space shall be provided per every one full-time employee of the accessory school in addition to required parking for the principal church use.

2. County parks and community center policies

Immoral and spiritually restricting Cobb County parks and community centers policies are in place against the church even though the parks and community centers were constructed and/or maintained through public taxpayer funds. The policy is presently located within the Policy Manual (pages 62-63) of the Cobb County Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Affairs Department which reports to the Cobb County Recreation Commission which reports to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners.

"Section VII - RELIGIOUS SERVICES, GATHERINGS, PERMITTED IN COBB COUNTY PARK FACILITIES

ARTICLE A - REGULAR USAGE OF PARK FACILITIES FOR RELIGIOUS PURPOSES

Cobb County park or park facilities shall not be made available to churches or other such religious groups for use as their regular worship assembly locations, with a narrow exception. That exception would be that if the Recreation Commission or Board of Commissioners wished to allow churches and organizations to rent facilities pending the completion of their regular worship facilities.

The closing of facilities open to the public to accommodate religious use would have the effect of advancing religion and would be prohibited. It shall be the duty of the Director of the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs Department or his designee to make a decision based on the above ruling. Any request for such usage that does not fit into the above ruling will be considered on an individual basis by the Recreation Commission. (Bentley, Bentley, and Bentley - November 20, 1989).

ARTICLE B - TENT REVIVALS

The Commission hereby approves tent revival usage of County park facilities. The Director or his designee is given authority to grant approval of area and schedule of such. Tent revivals or other such gatherings may be limited length of usage by this Commission or Director. (All tents must comply with County Ordinance on temporary structures - Sec. 301 and 404.17)

ARTICLE C - SUNRISE SERVICES PERMITTED IN COBB COUNTY PARKS

This Commission approves usage of County park facilities for sunrise services and other such religious activities. The Director or his designee is granted authority to grant approval of area and schedule of such. This includes the authority to allow usage prior to normal park hours (7:00 a.m.)"

3. Cobb County Public Library Multipurpose Room Use Policy

The following policies are distributed to anyone seeking the use of rooms at a Cobb County Library (the information was obtained specifically from the Main Branch within Marietta). The application which a person must sign in order to reserve and rent requires the signer to:

"I have read the regulation governing the multipurpose rooms and agree to abide by them. I affirm that this organization is nonprofit."

The application would have a believer lie in order to use a room at a Cobb County Library.

The policies (the first two appearing out of a total of 15) are as follows:

1. The Cobb County Public Library provides multipurpose room space as a service to the community for use by individuals and non-profit groups. This space is designed for library-sponsored programs, library co-sponsored programs, community and civic group activities, other local organizations, and Cobb County Government. Priority for use will be given to library-related programs and those co-sponsored by the library. Community groups will be granted permission for use on a first-come first-served basis. Meeting space is available to non-profit groups without regard to their beliefs or affiliations.

2. Functions held in the multipurpose rooms must be of a civic, cultural or educational nature. Religious worship, celebratory services, political campaigns, promotion of specific candidates for political office, social activities and fund raising activities (except for those benefitting the library) are not allowed in library facilities. Display of signs or banners require approval of the librarian in charge.

The policies for the Cobb County Libraries were approved by the Cobb County Public Library Board of Trustees on June 24, 1991 and the Board of Trustees reports to the Cobb County Board of Commissioners.

All of the above policies as written and carried out daily are hypocritical and mean-spirited against the church within Cobb County.

The policies serve to restrict and eliminate the freedom of speech of the church and believers as outlined within the Bill of Rights and to prevent believers from assembling together as further outlined within the First Amendment.

It is not quite understood how long the above policies have been in effect nor the number of requests the various facilities have rejected and resulting in an immeasurable cost to the Body of Christ.

To deny the citizens and residents of Cobb County spiritual freedom continuously will ultimately result in the loss of federal and state funds normally distributed to Cobb County as well as the individual and collective deterioration of the quality of life for the citizens and visitors to Cobb County, Georgia, United States of America.

The battle that we are facing within Cobb County is not just a local skirmish, war, or debate. This battle affects all believers and citizens worldwide due to its spiritual principles and the financial burdens carried by all taxpayers within the State of Georgia and the United States of America.

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