Tom Katt Turns To Christianity
Gay porn legend, Tom Katt, walked away from the biz a few years ago and re-emerged recently under his real name, David Papaleo, on an Atlanta based Christian television talk show to claim his conversion to heterosexuality and Christianity. Fortunately, he's not claiming that the two go hand in hand.
A lot of people, fans mainly, have thrown venom and vitriol in David's direction since this revelation. They feel betrayed of course on the issue of his sexuality and assume that his new found path includes being "holier than thou" and renouncing pornography. I'm happy to report that's not the case.
In an exclusive interview with The Dallas Voice, David comes off as compassionate, tolerant and peaceful. He even subscribes to many theories rooted within the Kabbalah, like this one, regarding the Bible being used as a metaphor or code, something to be interpreted and not read on the surface as mere words.
"If you look at it historically," he says, "culturally and you’re not pulling things out of context, the Bible says ‘don’t to go against what is natural.’ If you are naturally heterosexual and you’re having sex with men, well, first, you’re treating that guy unfairly. But the Bible’s not saying heterosexual is natural as far as from nature’s point of view — it means going against what’s natural for yourself.”
(Another possible interpretation, David, in case you're reading: To lay down with the "same" could be construed as "giving" to yourself, when our purpose here is to give to the world.)
As far as same-sex relationships and marriage, “They’re not wrong,” he continues. “The most important thing is to love God with all your heart. The second thing, is to love your fellow person that same way. I don’t know how loving someone of your own sex in that manner is considered wrong.”
Meanwhile, he says he's yet to find a church to which he wants to belong because they seem far more interested in preaching surface rather than debating interpretation.
Sounds to me like David needs to get his cute butt over to KabbalahCurious.com and hang with us!
Kabbalah, by the way, though its origins are obviously in Judaism, is practiced by everyone from Muslim to Catholic. It's a spirituality and a way of life, not a religion.
On the topic of David's sexuality, I really do believe that he went through a very long phase of experimentation, looking for his place in the world. I feel like everyone is born bisexual and he seems to understand that as he admits in the article that he has no problem telling people he was once "bi." But now that he is actually married and in a heterosexual relationship, I don't know how he could call himself anything but "straight." Just as I, now being in a monogamous relationship with a man, although I've had sex with women many times and still find them attractive, would have to consider myself at this point in my life to be homosexual.
I knew David personally for many years though we have fallen out of touch. He introduced me to Kate Bush (though I still say Tori is better!), was my personal trainer and a good friend though I felt he was very "lost" at the time and I had no desire to spend a great deal of time around his "chaotic" energy. (I wasn't nearly as "sharing" as I am now! HA!) I remember once he tried to kiss me and I pulled away, not out of unattraction to him obviously, but because it just felt wrong. Instinctively, I knew even then. I'm sure somewhere deep down, he knew too.
I'm really glad he's found the next road on his journey and that he has found a cloud of his own happiness amidst the storm.
For the full article in the Dallas Voice, click here:
http://www.dallasvoice.com/artman/publish/article_1317.php
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posted by Jason Sechrest | 5:55 PM
7 Comments:
Jason, i want to comment in regard to this: "Kabbalah, by the way, though its origins are obviously in Judaism, is practiced by everyone from Muslim to Catholic. It's a spirituality and a way of life, not a religion."
Not so long ago i was talking about Kabbalah with a friend at a coffee place. A jew was sitting next to us and he was obviously a religious one because of his attire. He very rudely got into our conversation and started sayin how the "jewish community" condemns the Kabbalah Center, the reason being that they are making available something that according to him is way more complicated, than the instant gratification than the Bergs publish in their books. He also mentioned, the red string was only supposed to be used by jewish males over 40 years old and said that tryin to teach the real Kabbalah to common people would be like trying to teach brain surgery to someone that does not has the qualifications. He also said i should be very skeptical about any "religion" that tries to profit from you in such a way (the Zohar costs $400, as you probably know). When i told him they claim is not religion, but "technology for the soul" he said if they use the word "soul" is obviously religion. Now, i definitely did not agree with everything he said, but at the same time i hate to admit i agreed with some. I personally have enjoyed what i studied of Kabbalah so far, on my own, but ca'nt say that i am crazy about the people from the Kabbalah Center. Granted, sometimes it feels like they are after money, as they constantly call me, trying to sell me the Zohar or charge to my credit card (that they already have on file) the cover for the next lecture. There are also questions by the members that call me, about, what do i do for a living (when i was a practicing catholic, never got asked such a thing on church) I have talked to more than one person, that use to be associated with the Kabbalah center and got disenchanted too. I am not sayin, i totally am, but i am sayin that i do feel a bit scheptic sometimes. There is a website as well, that examines all this things, take a look at it and let me know what you think http://rickross.com/groups/kabbalah.html Anyways just wanted to know, how your experience with the Kabbalah Center has been. I hope this was not a negative post, i am a follower of Kabbalah myself, but i do not blindly believe everything that is given to me, i like to question everything and i listen to what others have to say. In the end i make my own conclusions of course. I will end this post by quoting Madonna: "Do not care about the messenger, but care about the message". This i feel applies to my case, i feel happy by reading and studying Kabbalah at home on my own, but i do not feel a 100% comfortable with the groups yet.
Hey, Jason. I don't really know enough about you and your career to call myself a fan(atic) but definitely an admirer. I've been reading JC for a while and I'm very impressed with all the things you do so well and know you'll continue to have lots of success.
Anyway, I don't know much of anything about Kabbalah but I wanted to comment on this. When I first found out about "Tom Katt"s heterosexual status I was more than a little put off. But reading the way you explained it and the quotes in his own words made me see it differently. I always considered people who "convert" to heterosexuality as trying to deny their gay past but I see now it's more about not letting the past deny his present truth. So I want to thank you for helping me get past one of the judgments I was carrying around. Only 13,462 to go!
Mario,
I have to say almost all of the studying of Kabbalah that I have done, I have done on my own at home. I have, however, been to the Centre and, contrary to your own experience, have not had anyone ask to put my credit card on file, try to sell me the Zohar, etc. My experiences there have been nothing but the most positive and uplifting.
That said, I just feel that sitting and listening to a lecture once pales in comparison to downloading that same lecture on their web site for the same fee (sometimes less) where you can listen to it over and over, pause to take extensive notes and do so in an environment without distractions.
As for the study being relegated to males over 40, I disagree with this entirely. He is correct in that Kabbalah is something extremely difficult to comprehend but this rule was made in a time when women we're even allowed to read sacred books. To carry such limitation into the present seems utterly ridiculous to me. And ultimately, that brings me back to the Bergs. Because yes, it's ridiculously hard stuff. There's a ton of different possible interpretations for every line of the Zohar and most of the time, even if you read it in English, it just doesn't make any sense whatsoever. (I will say, the more you read, the easier it gets.) But that is the beauty of what the Bergs have done. They have taken the essence of Kabbalah's teachings and, as I always describe it, "dumbed them down." For instance, there's a lot of crazy shit in The Bible but at the end of the day it's about the laws laid forth such as doing unto others. The Bergs lay these laws of the universe forth in lamen's terms so that everyone, young and old, can partake in the joy and the Light. They even have a fantastic program called Spirituality for Kids that allows children to continue developing their natural Godly instincts through Kabbalah instead of repressing them as society so often does to us. Can you imagine learning that there's more to life than the physical world, learning about "karma" at 8 years old? Fantastic! So for him to say that the study of it should be restricted is ridiculous to me.
I don't know the Bergs. I've heard good things. I've heard bad things. I can't judge them. They are on their own path. But they certainly are amazing translators and their books have changed my outlook on life forever. And although I am now at a point where I'm moving away from the "technology" of the Kabbalah Centre and getting into hardcore Kabbalah (the not-so dumbed down version) from other authors and communities, I will be forever greatful to them for their elementary introduction.
One more thing to remember: As with anything in life, you get from it what you give to it. The Kabbalah Centre, regardless of what they are trying to do over there, will, like everything else in life, simply mirror your state of mind as you approach it.
L,
J.
Chuck, LOL -- funny! I hope you come back more often then and I'd love to hear your thoughts on any of the other posts too. Feel free to comment. xox L, J.
Jason it's so true what you said said: "As with anything in life, you get from it what you give to it."
I read like 4 books on Kabbalah before i actually went to a lecture, and i really like the ones i've been to. But after the conversation with that rabbi, i got scheptical. However now i believe that in the end, none of that matters, if they are really after people's money or not, i do not care. If i can get something good out of my studies, and my visits to the Center, then that works for me. Kabbalah totally changed the way i think, and specially changed the things i take in consideration before i make a decision in my life or even before i open my mouth to say something to another human being. It's made me more concious. And that is worth for me. There'll always be people that disagree. Religion will always create controversy i guess. Thanks for your answer, it helped my perspectives a lot....
Hi Jason,
I enjoyed reading your article about Tom Katt and his conversion to heterosexuality and Christianity. I have to admit I was a bit surprised when I stumbled upon the site "Body by Faith Forum" and found some postings by Dave Papaleo. I did exchange a couple of emails with him describing my own struggle with my sexuality and religion. But unfortunately I think I might have crossed the line when in my second email I asked him if he were changing his sexual orientation through his religious conversion. I never heard from him again.
I found many of the postings on this forum quite sad because some of the gay men have referred to homosexuality as a "Sin" and therefore it is something that must be changed.
I have to admit that I have collected several of Tom's videos and have greatly enjoyed watching them. And I also must confess that I am a bit disappointed with this revelation about Tom Katt's new life. I can't explain why this is but maybe it has to do with my own struggle with sexuality(I'm gay), God and Religion. I think that every time I read something like this it just seems to validate and confirm the Christian Right's belief that anyone can change by just "accepting Jesus."
There has been many stories of other gay men who supposedly have found religion and given up their homosexuality, and have even gotten married. Has this really happened or are they just repressing their true identities in order to somehow have a semblance of peace within? I know I am projecting my own struggle in regard to this particular topic. It's just that the topic of religion and homosexuality is a very touchy subject for me.
The past few years I have been on a spiritual journey in an effort to seek answers to the reality and meaning of my existence. I have been reading a lot of books about religion, God and spirituality. Of course the books I read are written by liberal-minded theologians, Bible scholars, ministers and rabbis.
I'm not sure I will find any of the answers I am seeking but at least I am trying.
Sorry about rambling on and on.
I really like your website, Jason, and wish you the best of luck with it.
Take care,
Steve
Steve, I am with you when it comes to the Christian Right's obscene belief that anyone can change their sexuality just by accepting Jesus. I think in David's case though, he was experimenting and lost for a very long time and eventually found what was right for him. This doesn't mean that it's right for everyone, nor is he even saying that it's what is right for everyone and that's what I love most about his current stance. But he can't deny who he is presently out of fear that others will view it as validation of their own insane beliefs. People will always see only what they want to see. You have to walk your own path and do what you feel is right. I also find it interesting that you would send me this during Pisces, which is a time of letting go and really listening to your inner-self to trust your true God-given instincts. The energy is really available to do that this month, Steve. Listen to yourself. You're not going to find the answers you're looking for in any book, but you will find them within you. When Jesus said "I am the Way," perhaps he meant "I" as in "self." Peel off the layers of bullshit society has cloaked you in and go back to your core. You'll find God and all your answers there, within you. xox L, J.
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