This kinda bugs me

First....
Every time I go into a book store, I always seem to pass by a book entitled "The (fill-in-the-blank) Bible." You know what I am talking about ....

There's this Bible, and this one, and don't forget about this one.

I guess when you read "Bible" in a title, you are supposed to think that this is the foremost authority on the subject, the definitive guide, the ultimate resource. Does anyone know where I am going with this?

If people really think a Bible is the foremost authority on a topic, why doesn't anyone think that THE Bible is? This contradiction angers, saddens, annoys, and frustrates me.

But that is not even the worst part. The worst part is that even people who say the Bible is their authority don't treat is at the definitive guide that it is. When we are told in Eph 4:29 not to let any unwholesome talk come out of our mouths, how many of us Christians still gossip, slander, cuss, lie, etc...? When the Bible says that Jesus is the only way to the Father, why do we convince ourselves that there are "different ways" to God for different people. (That doesn't even make LOGICAL sense... sorry!) When the commandments tell us not to lie or steal and when we are told that we must submit to earthly authority, why do we cheat on our taxes and laugh like it is no big deal? When we are told in 1 John that we must love our brothers, why do we allow ourselves to go to church and bible study and sunday school and NEVER concern ourselves with the people we see there until the next meeting rolls around? When we are told that we must love our neighbors as ourselves and that we must consider others better than ourselves, why are we constantly looking out for our own interests, not caring who we cut off in traffic, whining about all the work we have to do that isn't "fair," delighting in others' grief and failures, and being jealous instead of happy for those who receive special blessings?

Is the Bible the authority or not? If it isn't, why are we bothering with it? If it is, why don't we act like it?

Second....
How did Jesus Christ, God, Lord, etc... all become swear words?

Can I use Buddha, Muhammed, (or a like figure... all DEAD, of course) as a swear and get away with it? Wouldn't that be considered religious harassment if I used a central religious figure as a swear word? (Somebody call the ACLU!) It seems like lately harassment is only harassment if you're not a Christian. If you ARE a Christian and want your views or rights respected you are out of "luck."

Of course, this phenomenon is not all that phenomenal, since Jesus told us this is exactly what would happen. It seriously doesn't make any sense whatsoever, but those without Christ don't always see it that way. I can accept it. But I don't have to like it.