As a Christian with a very compassionate stand on the issue of homosexuality, I often get flak from gays because of my religious beliefs, and more often flak from Christians because of my liberal views on the issue.

But still, I always get a little nervous when the media tackles the subject of homosexuality and Christianity. The discussion usually falls into stereotypical finger pointing, with Christians coming off looking evil and gays as the victims.

So when I heard about the new film "Save Me," directed by Robert Cary, I assumed it would be a film celebrating homosexuality amidst the horrors of Christianity. Thankfully, I was wrong.

The film stars Chad Allen as Mark, a sex and drug addicted young gay man who hits rock bottom and enters a treatment program at Genesis House, a Christian ministry that promotes healing from "sexual brokenness." The ministry is run by Gayle (Judith Light) and her husband Ted (Stephen Lang).

Yes, there are stereotypes, at least at the start. Gayle comes off as an uptight, prim Christian whose vocabulary is generously peppered with Christianese like "Praise the Lord" and Bible verses. Mark is at the other end of the spectrum, a promiscuous gay man seemingly without boundaries. And the men at Genesis House? Let's just say they make birdhouses. (Could it be any more, well, gay? I mean, if they have to build stuff, how about building furniture or houses?)

The central conflict in the film focuses on the relationship between Mark and Scott (Robert Gant), a long time member of Genesis House. It's clear that what starts as a friendship is developing into something much deeper, and is clearly something that violates the basic ministry of Genesis House: to "heal" gays. I won't give away the ending, but you can probably guess what happens next.

That conflict leads both Mark and Gayle to reexamine their views of faith and healing, and understand the deeper issues they need to reconcile. The stereotypes fade quickly as we see that the characters' problems are less about sexuality and more about spiritual brokenness, alienation, abuse, despair and dysfunctional family relationships. When we learn that Gayle had a son who died of a drug overdose, and that her son was gay, for example, we begin to understand why she started the ministry. While she stands by her biblical beliefs, her motives are driven by love and compassion, something Mark responds to. His healing comes from an understanding that he's loved for who he is, both by God and by Gayle.

It's interesting to see Chad Allen in another Christian-themed film. He also starred in 2005's "End of the Spear," a film about five young missionaries, among them Jim Elliot and Nate Saint (portrayed by Allen) who are speared to death by the Waodani tribe in Ecuador in 1956. I thought Allen did a great job in the film, but Christians across the country boycotted the movie because he was gay. Crazy, isn't it?

So I'm glad to see him in a movie that tackles the relationship between gays and ministries dedicated to healing homosexuality, and do it in an honest light. The promiscuous lifestyle Mark is involved with at the beginning of the film is destructive, and certainly not to be celebrated by anyone on either side of the issue. But while his relationship with Scott goes against Gayle's religious beliefs, she finally understands that she can only love Mark, not judge him. She begins to heal when she reconciles her own faith with her compassion.

Most importantly, the film shows that all Christians aren't out to bash gays, and all gays aren't immoral heathens. Both sides need love and compassion, and are healing from the same kinds of hurts and pain. Like Gayle, Christians should be most concerned with a desire to see people come to know Jesus. Only then can any kind of healing begin.