Clive Durdle wrote:There must be anthropological and sociological studies of street preachers, anyone recommend anything?
Depends on interpretation. Footsteps of Jesus or perhaps a sign of the Devil (Luther and others).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open-air_preachingHumans also like to form groups.
In this case the informed, washed, minority saved group are the street preachers. The uninformed, unwashed, majority damned group are the heathen. Only the evangelist can save the heathens from hellfire. The establishment are ineffective and corrupt.