THE “beast” plays a prominent roll in much of humanity’s literature, religious tomes, contemporary conspiracy theories and social media. Oxford Languages (defines “beast” as (1) an animal, especially a large or dangerous four-footed one; and/or (2)a domestic animal, especially a bovine farm animal.

In the Christian book of Revelation, two beasts are described: The first comes “out of the sea” and is given authority and power by “the dragon” (alt. Satan, the Devil, Lucifer);...