Toni Braxton: God gave my son autism because I had an abortion
Toni Braxton’s new memoir, Unbreak My Heart, reveals many unknown details about her personal life, including the revelation that she once had an abortion.
“In my heart, I believed I had taken a life - an action that I thought God might one day punish me for,” she wrote in her book, which released Tuesday.
The 46-year-old singer and author recently discussed the matter with ET’s Nancy O’Dell.
“I never thought I would have to do that,” she said when recalling her abortion.
Braxton was on the acne drug Accutane - which has serious side effects for fetuses - at the time, but she said other factors affected her decision.
“I felt selfish because I was thinking, ‘I’m going through bankruptcy - there’s things going on with my life and I can’t give this kid any future.’ I was feeling hopeless for no reason, when I look at it now for no reason, what was I thinking?” she said.
“I am not really embarrassed about it; I am more ashamed of myself for doing that because I could’ve figured something out financially - that was just an excuse I was making for myself,” she said.
The chart-topping songstress filed for bankruptcy in 1998. She married her ex-husband, Keri Lewis, in 2001, and the couple has two children together.
When asked if she still feels the guilt of her decision, Braxton said she feels like she has three kids and oftentimes has to remind herself she only has two.
“In my head I feel like I have three kids,” she explained.
Braxton also talked about learning that her youngest son, Diezel, has autism. She said she used to believe the diagnosis was a punishment for her abortion.
“I thought it was because of the abortion, God was punishing me,” she recalled. “And it took a long time for me to get past that.”
She wrote in her book, “I have sometimes wondered whether God was punishing me for the abortion I had years ago by allowing my son to have autism. Or by giving me so many health issues.”
~ Charisma News, May 21
[Photo via bellyitchblog.com]
Jill Stanek is a nurse turned speaker, columnist and blogger, a national figure in the effort to protect both preborn and postborn innocent human life.
This is so very sad. God does not punish us for our sin! In fact He has given His Son in whom we are forgiven us and set us free from its ravages! GRACE & MERCY!!
For this reason, every time we condemn *the ACT of abortion* we must also offer forgiveness and healing for the multi-millions who have some involvement in abortion decisions. It’s like a 2-edged sword to be used to fight evil and establish peace.
This hurts my heart because she doesn’t know the Jesus I know. The enemy is convincing her that she is unworthy of grace. It also points to her need to self-punish. She desperately needs healing and needs to know the good news and that Jesus already paid the punishment for her sins.
Misleading headline. She -used- to think that, and she has since put it behind her.
I hope that someone knowledgeable about post-abortion healing reaches out to her.
The guilt is wracking and real, and she is aware that she needs healing. She may not know that it is possible.
The abortion industry has worked so hard to press the idea that abortion does not cause emotional and spiritual problems, and so any cure must be sought elsewhere.
The fact she does not recognize her aborted baby as one of her children says a lot about where she is at with the abortion. Healing happens when you fully acknowledge your child. She has not done this yet.
“When asked if she still feels the guilt of her decision, Braxton said she feels like she has three kids and oftentimes has to remind herself she only has two.”
“In my head I feel like I have three kids,” she explained.
Her baby still exists (spiritually) and is waiting for her to get it through her mind and into her heart.
–
I had one abortion and one miscarriage. I have a relationship with them be it only spiritual, it is still a valid relationship. Most times when people ask if I have any children I say, “Yes, two in heaven waiting for me.” I will never deny my children but I don’t always explain their deaths. Ms. Braxton would find great healing in a spiritual relationship with her baby.
It sounds like her heart is ripe to welcome some grace from the God of truth. Praying for her.
I miscarried years after my abortion and believed that God was punishing me as well. That is a lie.
I learned the truth about forgiveness, mercy and grace and the God that loves me.
Well there is a reason we are meant to feel guilt over sin. Its so we dont repeat the sin. God loves us but we cant go out and sin without consequences. Im familiar with a similar case. Woman had 3 abortions and blames herself because her son suffered brain damage at delivery. He cannot communicate but he can walk. Doctors have labled him autistic. Ik a gay man who believes his HIV is a result of his gay lifestyle. I myself have believed that I have been punished for my sins but yet repented and set free.
And can anyone please tell me ( without hostility please ) where it says that we are not punished for our sins? If that were not so wouldnt we all just live as we wished? Im going to say up front that I agree T.Braxton must turn to Christ and I do not feel God “gave her” an autistic son. Also can someone explain generational curses? Thank you.
I have two brothers. One lives in California and the other, Simon, was the victim of a saline abortion. I know that I will get to meet him some day. I hope he is an Eagles fan :-)
She was on the drug Accutane. Before a doctor can prescribe Accutane, you have to agree to use two forms of artificial contraception or be completely abstinent, undergo a pregnancy test beforehand and throughout the time you take the drug. It is quite an onerous process. Even one partner being sterile is not good enough to satisfy the requirements.
Well I just went and looked and although God loves us indeed we are punished for sin.