“Trickster Gods” Concludes St. Norbert Distinguished Lecture Series

Dr. William J. Hynes is a teacher and storyteller. He brings those attributes to Door Community Auditorium (DCA) on Saturday, March 27 at 9 am in the final St. Norbert Distinguished Lecture, entitled “Why Do We Find Trickster Gods in All Religions?” The lecture is free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

In virtually all world and regional religions, “trickster gods” are busily profaning and upending sacred beliefs, turning things upside down and inside out, stealing the possessions of bigger gods to give to humankind. Dr. Hynes will address who these trickster gods are who appear in Judaism, Christianity, Islam, etc., as well as discuss how it can be that religions which are typically intent to perpetuate themselves seem to celebrate the tricksters in their midst.

Dr. Hynes concluded eight years as President of St. Norbert College in May of 2008. Following a year-long sabbatical and working on a book on The Principles of Entrepreneurship, he has returned to teaching at the college. He has served as academic vice president at St. Mary’s College of California, and as dean at Regis University in Denver, after holding faculty positions for more than two decades.

Dr. Hynes is the author of three books, including Mythical Trickster Figures with William Doty, cited by The Literary Supplement, as “an admirable successor” to Paul Radin’s classic study.

The St. Norbert Distinguished Lecture series at Door Community Auditorium is sponsored by Dahl Law Firm of Sister Bay and Ross Estate Planning of Sturgeon Bay. Lectures begin at 9 am and are free and open to the public. Base Camp Coffee Bar provides refreshment for purchase prior to the lecture.