The word "beast" has been mentioned several times so far. Given the Christian context of the novel, what connotation (association) does Golding intent for this word to assume?

The "Beast" is essentially the darkness inside the hearts of men, or in this case, boys. Simon, Golding's Christ-figure, knew that the only beast lay inside the human soul. Simon interprets humanity with the capacity for good and evil. Humans are capable of kindness but possess a sickness that draws them to darkness. It is a paradox that Simon struggles with throughout the novel. Simon knows the only beast on the island lies inside the boys, they all have humanity's essential illness, “However when Simon thought of the beast, there rose before his inward sight the picture of a human at once heroic and sick.” This sickness is a manifestation of evil. The Lord of the Flies means Belzebub, the Latin name for Satan.