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“I was only 4, so I didn’t really know exactly what was going on, but I had a rough estimate of where I was standing and what was happening with my family. I think that’s when I started getting sort of depressed,” he tells me.
When the family came here, Brian made good friends and went to kindergarten.
The next year, his problems began.
“I started first grade and that was possibly one of the worst schooling experiences I’ve had so far,” he tells me. As the class began the process of learning to read and write, Brian found himself unable to keep up and at the mercy of a teacher who was “not nurturing.”
He struggled through to second grade, where his teacher, Mrs. Odem (“a really great teacher… she really helped a lot”), told Carley she suspected Brian had Attention Deficit Disorder. Carley resisted this, not wanting Brian to be stigmatized. She researched alternative options and Brian says they “went through pretty much every type of treatment, just shy of acupuncture,” including visiting a chiropractor who suggested Brian’s birth had been too quick and his skull plates were being squished.
Finally, they gave in to Ritalin.
“It worked — I did focus in school, but outside of school I was sort of miserable. I wasn’t — well, what my mom calls her ‘normal son.’ I wasn’t funny anymore, I wasn’t lively or anything. I was just sort of there, like a zombie.”
To worsen matters, the Ritalin caused extreme headaches that couldn’t be cured. He stopped taking the Ritalin at the start of eighth grade after taking it for five or six years. He regained his personality, but saw a significant drop in his grades.
Brian clearly remembers rock bottom, the “oh, crap” moment. He and Carley were in Ojai, Calif., to attend a retreat led by spiritual guru Gary Spivey. On her laptop in her hotel room several hours before the retreat, Carley received an e-mail from Brian’s English teacher, informing her he was about to fail her class.
Carley’s disappointment crushed Brian: “I’d much rather have my mom be mad at me than disappointed.” Although he wanted nothing more than to turn around and go home, instead they went to the retreat as planned.
During the retreat, which took place in an amphitheater in the Ojai mountains, Spivey led his participants through meditations and spiritual readings. During a break following one meditation, Brian stood off to the side and looked out toward the trees, feeling like he could see something but not entirely sure what it was he was seeing. Spivey approached Carley and told her he sensed she was having trouble with a man. Carley pointed to Brian, who was still staring at the trees.
“You can see them too,” Spivey said to Brian.
After the break, Spivey brought Brian up onto the stage and, in front of a crowd of 40 or 50 people, had Brian lead readings, which he had never done before.
“I was just answering questions left and right. I mean, I don’t know — it was crazy,” Brian says.
Still in a meditative state, he says he felt like he was on stage for about a half-hour but later learned he was there for more than three hours, helping the people in the audience and causing his mother to weep with pride.
“She went from being, two hours ago, incredibly disappointed, to seeing me up on stage, being able to do these things that she had no — I had no idea I could do,” Brian tells me. He points out the dichotomy: “My schooling — yeah, I was failing. But on the other hand, I was excelling incredibly in this other realm.”
The Scibettas returned from the retreat and Carley decided to pull Brian from public school. She hired a homeschool teacher, who taught Brian during his freshman year. Then, two weeks before his sophomore year was to start, his teacher quit due to a health issue and left Brian and Carley scrambling to find an alternative. Although Brian wanted to attend Lakeridge High School with his friends, he was told his home schooling experience would not be transferable to public school and that his only option was to repeat the ninth grade.
Portland Waldorf School was their final option, and this almost didn’t happen either. Brian, who was born in New York, has a late August birthday and is accustomed to being the youngest in his class. Officials at Waldorf were reluctant to admit him because of his age, which Brian suspects is because they feared he would be little and easy to pick on. When Brian went in for an interview, officials realized this was not the case and admitted him for his sophomore year.
Brian says he’s benefited greatly from the small class sizes, applied arts classes, encouragement of discussion, and one-on-one attention. In an e-mail, Carley shared with me that Brian has a 3.1 GPA and an IQ of 167. Brian describes the school as “really high education,” pointing out that they’ve read books in English class that many read in college, like “The Odyssey” and “Gilgamesh.”
When he’s not hitting the books, Brian continues to build an ever-growing client list of people searching for answers from God. His clients used to meet Brian at retreats or hear about him through word-of-mouth; he now has a lot of new business stemming from a recent profile in the Willamette Week, written by Beth Slovic. He tells me most of his clients ask about love or money. Sometimes, they’re interested in healing. I ask if any of the topics ever make him feel uncomfortable, and he explains that he doesn’t see it as he himself talking, but God talking through him, which alleviates the discomfort.
I remember being 16, starting to think about SATs and college and being blissfully unaware of the world that existed outside my teenage self. It’s difficult for me to reconcile that with this young man who sits before me, quietly educating me about meditation and free will.
“I’m still a normal kid,” he insists. I press him for proof and he tells me he goes to movies, long boards with his friends, and enjoys spending time with his girlfriend of several months. He says he loves to cook and would like to attend culinary school someday. He tells me that no, God is not an ever-present topic at the dinnertime table.
“We talk about anything, everything that’s going on in our lives,” he says.
One thing he will acknowledge is that his relationship with his mother is anything but average.
“I’m your typical teenage kid to an extent,” he tells me, noting he sees the way his friends often fight with their parents. “I guess I’m sort of unique, but it’s probably just the way I was brought up … I know I’ve always had great support, so I have no need to fight with her,” he says.
It was his mom who led him to Gary Spivey in the first place. After 9/11, Carley, who at the time was performing background checks for hotels and restaurants, saw her business go from “being amazing to practically nothing overnight,” as Brian says. The family was searching for answers when they began listening to Gary Spivey do morning readings on Z100 radio station. Although the family had little money at the time, Brian’s brother David splurged and bought his mom a ticket for a $500 one-day Gary Spivey conference downtown. She came home that night and taught the boys to meditate, which Brian says helped them to grow “not only spiritually, but as a family.”
Nine months later, the family met with Spivey at a hotel for an hour-long reading and Spivey told Brian and David he thought they possessed spiritual gifts. Brian didn’t realize the strength of those gifts until later, when Spivey pulled him up on stage at the retreat in Ojai during his eighth grade year.
And now? Aside from being inundated with new clients, Brian is starting his junior year of high school. And although he’s just a regular kid (“I can drive now, so that’s fun”), he’s also making a remarkable name for himself as someone who is doing his best to help others. I’m reminded of something Carley wrote in one of her e-mails: “It astounds me as to how a world so full of people can have so many lonely souls.” And if those lost souls can find their comfort in the form of a 16-year-old who claims to communicate with God, why not?
Appointments for readings with Brian can be arranged through his Web site at www.brianscibetta.com . Prices range from $20 for a 15-minute phone reading to $150 for an hour-long reading in person.
Kristen Forbes is a freelance writer living in Tigard. To view her blog, visit www.krissymick.blogspot.com .
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I just read the young reporter's blog, about what she went through to get this story and how proud she is of her accomplishment, and I must say I do admire her tenacity and bravery. I want to emphasize here that I found her writing style very enjoyable. Maybe this piece is more of a personal essay than investigative journalism, and I can appreciate that.
(email verified)
Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 10:31 AM
Investigative journalism?
The comment re. the fascinating story about "If you could ask God one question" misses the whole point of the story. This wasn't intended as an investigative piece; instead it was a finely crafted feature (which the Lake Oswego Review is known for) that gives a feeling for the special gift this young man believes he has. A regular reader knows that newspapers include hard news stories and features as a regular part of their offerings. Often, news reporters and feature writers are different staff members. And, to be very clear, investigative journalists are few and far between. The Neighbors page of the Lake Oswego Review, since inception, has always provided a good feature story along with good photographs (usually by staff photographer Vern Uyetake). Does the article cause harm? (The short answer is a resounding NO).
Was it well written? (Yes).
Was it worth reading? (Yes).
(email verified)
Fri, Sep 07, 2007 at 02:31 AM
Why in the world are all these people arrayed in purple?
And why oh why do they also claim to be Christians? and are not.
WHY OH WHY DO THEY USE OUR FATHERS NAME IN SUCH A USELESS MANNER?
WHY ARE THEY CALLING THEMSELVES FATHER?
WHY ARE THEY CALLING THEMSELVES RABBI?
TWo Groups are doing these ,One makes reference to man as father,the other makes reference to man as rabbi.
The two groups in combination,well that is the synogogue of satan,that house is falling is falling Down.
16:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 16:20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 16:21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 16:22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 16:23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 16:24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 16:25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. 16:26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. 16:27 Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: 16:28 For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. 16:30 And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. 16:31 And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.
ONLY a 150 bucks you say. And then I say: Pay Back to Her double,feed the poor ,clothe the poor,house the poor.
REPENT FOR THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN IS AT HAND IS AT HAND
Hey by the the way if any one wants to ask Our Father a question here is how to do it not through some one else;
6:5 And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward. 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. 6:7 But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking. 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. 6:10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. 6:11 Give us this day our daily bread. 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
I know he's waiting to here from you all.
(email verified)
Fri, Sep 07, 2007 at 01:48 PM
I think it's a real shame that most of these comments about the article are bashing a 16-year-old. Seriously people, what if this young man is really able to talk to God? What if he's more spiritually advanced than most of us could ever dream to be? Should we just assume it's a lie and talk down to him?
If you would like proof of his IQ and GPA from the Portland Waldorf School, which happens to be a high-touted school, I'm sure you could contact Brian through his website (brianscibetta.com) and he'd probably give you proof. And by the way, the Lake Oswego School District is one of the uptight systems about breaking the norm about its policies, and yes, the LOSD does not give credit for those who have been home schooled. They are forced to repeat the grade.
Brian does charge for his readings, but if you have ever talked to him, or seen him do a reading, these are extremely draining. Being in the physical and spiritual realms at the same time is quite the feat. But at the same time, you have no idea how much pro-bono work he does.
And poor, poor C-HG. I can't begin to tell you how disappointed I am in just how "Christian" you truly are. 1 Corinthians 12:28 says, "And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those speaking in different kinds of tongues." Who's to say that the Lord, your God, didn't give this young man the ability to help others, and speak in a different kind of tongue? What if his "tongue" is being able to speak to the Lord?
1 Peter 4:11 states, "If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God." Enough said. Your book of God, the Bible, says to do what this young man claims to be able to do. And unless you have some way of proving him otherwise, I would suggest leaving this boy be and go about your life worshiping God the way you'd like. He isn't here to convert anyone. He's here to simply help those who are lost find their way back to God.
To wrap it up, good job Brian. May you continue to be blessed by God for your hard work and lack of fear of the ever-judging Christians.
God Bless, from a Christian who believes you.
(email verified)
Mon, Sep 10, 2007 at 05:37 PM
Hey David,Take a closer look at the picture!!
Ask Brian what that little statue is all about,Then ask him to smash into the ground,finally ask him if he is still being spoken too.
(email verified)
Tue, Sep 11, 2007 at 03:14 PM
C-HG,
I'm quite saddened that you are becoming so wrapped up in your beliefs to think that something "out of the norm" could have any validity. Now, I do understand where you're coming from. It is VERY hard to think outside of the Christian faith to think that there may be more to it. I have dealt with this very thought, and it, personally, tore me apart. But I am at the point where I believe in Jesus, but still have the ability to think that the Bible was written by men, and that it could have been skewed. Whether I fit your standards of what a Christian is or isn't, I have one request of you. Would you please put aside any negativity you might have towards me or Brian right now, and simply listen?
Brian is NOT trying to convert anyone to believe any certain thing or things. He has the very unique ability to speak to God. God, as the Bible would call him, the Father. Most modern-day Christians tend to forget about God in this aspect. They recognize that by the blood of Christ Jesus, that they are saved, but God comes in a trinity package, remember? The Holy Spirit, the God that is in each of us; Jesus Christ, the one who most Christians recognize on a daily basis; and God the Father. When Brian is talking to God, and he says "God," he means the Father. Christ was the Son of God. Thus, a completely different person. Brian talks to both of them, but mentions Jesus as "Jesus," not "God".
As I said before, maybe you should stop focusing on how you disagree with a high school student who seems to be extremely close to God, and focus on how much you love the Lord. For if you're a Christian, I know you worship. If you noticed in the article, Brian isn't saying that Ganesha (the one represented in the statue) is God. He said that Ganesha is one of the many people he can communicate with. Ganesha's history runs deeper than that of Christ. Just because Ganesha was a "god" on a different continent, doesn't mean that he didn't exist. Maybe, just MAYBE, God the Father created him, along with many others who have been considered "gods" to reach the masses. Christianity doesn't reach everyone. Neither do Hinduism or Buddhism. Maybe God the Father is using all of these to bring all of us, the Children of God who were created in His image, back to our Father.
I'm sorry if I offended you in any way. And I know that I do not live up to your "Christian" standards. But just because Brian, nor myself, believe the exact same way as you, doesn't mean that you should try to put some sort of tag on us to make us seem inhumane. Jesus taught of love and light. That you should treat your neighbor as your brother. All I hope for is that you might not attack people in the future. Let people know that you are a follower of Christ without slamming it down their throats. Not only will you be happier, you will make many others in your life much happier too.
May God help you find what it is you're meant to do on this planet.
"Only God can judge me."
P.S. The Ganesha statue is made of gold. He couldn't smash the statue if he wanted to.
(email verified)
Tue, Sep 11, 2007 at 04:09 PM
The ganesha statue is garbage,Melt it sell it, feed the poor ,clothe the poor,house the poor.
idol worshippers ouch you know thats NOT GOOD,
The Greatest King his name is David,you should change yours,you need to TAKE YOUR SEAT.
Why doesn't The idol worshipper speak?,why are you speaking for him?
I Serve OUR Father,I Serve OUR Rabbi,Both oh whom you know not at all.
Deceivers pay a higher price then them who are deceived:
And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
(email verified)
Wed, Sep 12, 2007 at 01:46 PM
"And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea."
That's who you worship?! That's your idea of God?! A being that commands violence for something petty like that?!
You're both terribly wrong in your thinking, both indoctrinated into fantasy worlds.
(email verified)
Thu, Sep 13, 2007 at 01:36 AM
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Re: If you could ask God one question
"...he’s also making a remarkable name for himself as someone who is doing his best to help others."
No, he wouldn’t get $80-$150 an hour for “doing his best to help others” at his age. He is making a name for himself as someone who “know things that only God knows” – and Buddha, Christ, Genasha, the dead, etc.. I think his “savvy,” “shrewd” business manager for a mother knows this. This article is well-written but reflects very poorly on investigative journalism. She gave lip service to skepticism (a value held by open-minded journalists and scientists who seek the truth), but didn't ask Brian one question that would show if he could know "things that only God could know." Because she herself felt relieved spilling her guts to a 16 year old who learned to speak New Age Therapy (no mystery where he picked that up), she announces that he is "the real deal.” She concludes with a quote from the mother that Brian’s claim of hearing God provides comfort to very lonely people, so “why not?” But did this reporter investigate if any of Brian’s clients were not comforted or were harmed? Did she question if faith or psychic healers ever cause harm? (The short answer is a resounding YES!) It is also potentially harmful to let a minor counsel adult strangers alone on the phone or in a room. Will Brian’s mother hang up on God when dangerously mentally ill people contact Brian for God’s advice? It’s harmful to let a child believe he is qualified to provide mental health services to adults. This article does more harm than good, and I am not comforted by it.
"Anonmously submitted"
(email verified)
Thu, Sep 06, 2007 at 07:37 AM