Barbarically Beheaded

Biblical traditions

Scriptural justification

To execute the condemned

Gaining stature publicity

Religious extremists

Meeting unbelievers in battle

Smite at their necks

Execution ritual

Thoroughly subdued

Bind the captive

Kneeling, confessing

Reading off offenses

Time for ransom

Rubric condoning the act

Condemnation by authorities

Recruitment tool

Agents of the apocalypse

Express their horror

What bleeds, leads

Offensive, frightening

New phenomenon of primal warfare

Combined with modern technology

The ultimate sign of power