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[ethercat]

This is a page from scientology's Freedom Magazine:
http://www.freedommag.org/the-true-face-of-scientology

I'll fair-use quote the parts relevant to the SS rezoning application, for which Mr. Galloway has emphasized how small the number of scientologists served by the Atlanta org is.  One has to wonder if Mr. Galloway is willfully ignorant of the extent of scientology's goals for expansion, or if he is genuinely ignorant - there is no question that the numbers stand a chance of increasing dramatically.

The True Face of Scientology: Unparalleled Growth Since 2004

• Number of individuals completing Dianetics and Scientology counseling and courses doubled in the past two years
• Total number of counseling hours doubled in the past decade
• Total number of people newly introduced to Scientology and starting on training or counseling doubled in the past five years

There is also this: http://www.freedommag.org/scientology_ideal_organizations

Meeting the Global Demand for the Scientology Religion
OPENING A NEW BREED OF CHURCH IN MAJOR CITIES, SCIENTOLOGY HAS DOUBLED ITS SIZE IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS.
...
“Ideal” status encompasses both the physical facilities and the quantity and quality of the service to its parishioners and community. Such Churches house extensive public information multimedia displays describing all aspects of Dianetics and Scientology and its Founder, L. Ron Hubbard, as well as the Church’s social betterment and community outreach programs.
...

Sandy Springs residents should also take a look at the large gatherings on the following pages, because Mr. Galloway has promised that any large events would take place offsite.  It is obvious, from these photos, that when the "Ideal Org" is opened on Roswell Road (if it is opened), there will be a large celebration at 5395 Roswell Road, not offsite, to commemorate the opening:

• http://www.freedommag.org/scientology_church_malmo - Guests from 32 nations attended the grand opening
• http://www.freedommag.org/scientology_church_dallas
• http://www.freedommag.org/scientology_church_nashville - more than 3,000 Scientologists and guests toured the new Church of Scientology and Celebrity Centre
• http://www.freedommag.org/scientology_church_london - Its October 2006 opening drew better than 3,000 Scientologists
• http://www.freedommag.org/scientology_church_berlin_unveiled - Thousands of Scientologists and guests
• http://www.freedommag.org/scientology_church_new_york - 10,000 Scientologists and guests in attendance
• http://www.freedommag.org/scientology_church_spain - 6,000 assembling to celebrate the new Church
• http://www.freedommag.org/scientology_Islands_of_Friendliness_Ideal_Orgs_around_the_World - NO MATTER THE CITY OR THE COUNTRY, Ideal Org openings draw thousands of Scientologists
• http://www.freedommag.org/scientology_Islands_of_Friendliness_More_Ideal_Orgs_around_the_World

They seem very sure that the rezoning will be approved: http://www.freedommag.org/Building_for_the_Future_of_The_Scientology_Religion

NEW IDEAL ORG BUILDINGS

Shown here is just a sampling of newly acquired Church buildings, while the listing below includes all new properties now in planning or construction stage to open within the next 12 months.
...
Atlanta, Georgia

I just hope the Mayor and City Council of Sandy Springs, if they approve the rezoning, are aware of what they are letting into their community.

[Stutroup]

This makes me both happy and sad:

Happy because I don't have one of these abominations in my neighborhood.

Sad, because I hate to see this happening to a wonderful place like Sandy Springs.

The fact that Scientology has only had their opening ceremonies at their new locations should be something deeply considered, if only for that one event.  How will so many people gather at the location?  Whose parking lot will be packed out, and for how long, so people may be bussed in?  Or will attendees simply take up parking spaces at the post office and the local residences?

And if no one says anything against the abuse of parking, and the overfilling of the building and its parking lot, Scientology will likely use that as precedent and permission to carry on with large events.

The problem will start large and remain large.

[ethercat]

I can't imagine that many people crowded into the space available, and thinking about the brick wall that surrounds the building, they couldn't possibly corral them all inside the wall.  They just wouldn't fit on the sitewalks around the building.

They would have to close off Roswell Rd. to accomodate that many people!   

And yes, you're right; once they got their foot in the door with regard to large gatherings, it wouldn't stop, without a great deal of trouble and legal maneuvering for whoever tried to stop them.