Asking ChatGPT to set the Easter story in Blackburn - what it said

Every version has its own adaptations to make it stand out from the rest and give it a new lease of life, and in many cases to try and modernise one of the oldest stories still told today.

A quick and easy way to adapt stories now is to ask AI to do it for you - let it come up with the ideas, leaving you with time to write.

ChatGPT is an artificial intelligence chatbot which trawls through every corner of the internet within seconds to come up with answers to almost any question it is asked.

We put that to the test by asking it to reimagine the traditional Easter story but making one important change to the plot: setting it in Blackburn.

Let’s see how it got on.

Asking ChatGPT to reimagine the Easter story as though it happened in Blackburn

In the town of Blackburn, Lancashire, there was a man named Jesus who became known for his teachings of love and compassion. His message spread quickly throughout the town and many people began to follow him.

Jesus had many followers in Blackburn who believed in his message and called him their Savior. He often preached in the town square and in local synagogues, drawing large crowds of people who were eager to hear his message.

Could you imagine Jessu addressing the crowds in Cathedral Square? (Image: LT)

One day, Jesus and his disciples gathered to celebrate the Jewish holiday of Passover in Blackburn. During the meal, Jesus told his disciples that he would be betrayed by one of them and that he would be crucified, but he would rise from the dead on the third day.

Judas Iscariot, one of Jesus' disciples from Blackburn, betrayed him by leading the Roman soldiers to him. Jesus was arrested, tried, and sentenced to death by crucifixion in Blackburn.

On the day of his crucifixion, Jesus was led through the streets of Blackburn, carrying his cross to the place of his execution. The people of Blackburn jeered and taunted him as he made his way to the hill where he would be crucified.

Could you picture the Crucifixion taking place up here? (Image: LT)

As he hung on the cross in Blackburn, Jesus asked God to forgive those who were crucifying him. He died on the cross and was buried in a nearby tomb.

On the third day, some of Jesus' followers from Blackburn went to the tomb and found it empty. Suddenly, Jesus appeared to them, alive and well. His followers from Blackburn were amazed and overjoyed at this miracle.

Jesus spent time with his followers in Blackburn, teaching them and preparing them for their mission to spread his message of love and compassion throughout the town and beyond. He then ascended into heaven, promising to return one day.

And so, the story of Jesus' resurrection in Blackburn, Lancashire, continues to be celebrated by Christians around the world every Easter as a reminder of the power of love and the hope of new life. Blackburn played a prominent role in this story, as it was the site of Jesus' crucifixion and the home of many of his followers.

So, how do you think ChatGPT did in its re-telling of the Easter story?

Clearly, it wasn't perfect. It got the gist of the story pretty, but cramming the word Blackburn in at almost every opportunity took away some of the authenticity of a non-robot writing it. 

But I'm not sure I could imagine the Last Supper taking place at the Nando's on Peel Retail Park. Or the Crucifixtion happening on the moors around Darwen Tower. 

However, it did manage to put the focus on the real story of Easter - not the chocolate and Easter egg hunts, but the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus and, as it did say, the hope of new life.

Try it out and see what other Blackburn-related stories it can tell us.