The two Butler brothers who are accused of causing an estimated $200,000 damage to Cornerstone Baptist Church in Center Township early Friday not only confirmed the immaturity of their minds, but also blatantly exposed their narrow perception of the world beyond their personal existences.

They have perpetrated an act that will live with them - and impact their futures - for the rest of their lives, regardless of if, or how intently, they seek to make amends for the heinous crime of which they are charged. They have greatly limited their potential future achievements, regardless of whether they are extended forgiveness by the Rev. John Neyman, Cornerstone Baptist pastor, and the Cornerstone congregation - and regardless of the restitution that they subsequently might make.

Believers in a higher power anticipate that beyond life on Earth everyone must answer to the One who wields the ultimate hand of justice. But in their immaturity and narrow worlds, the two youths in question obviously didn't contemplate that prospect - not the capabilities of police investigation - before planning and carrying out their evil deed.

Police said the boys, Evan and Aaron Schuelke, ages 14 and 17, respectively, committed the crime, at least in part, because they resented being made to attend church services at Cornerstone. The belief that they could put the church out of existence - that destroying a building by vandalism and arson would destroy a congregation - displays the epitome of their immaturity and their shallow perspective of reality.

Like other congregations in the Butler area - what many residents like to refer to as a church-going community - the Cornerstone Baptist congregation is a dedicated group of people with a dedicated pastor, all of whom are determined to carry on God's work. Even if this setback to the church and its congregation had been much more serious, it would not have deterred these fine people from mustering their resources to overcome whatever the challenge.

Nor did the youths ponder how temporary the congregation's inconvenience might be because of the existence of insurance, as well as the availability of individuals and companies that are experts in quickly eradicating the effects of fire and vandalism.

The youths will have plenty of time to ponder those things in future years, if the justice system handles the case correctly. Likewise, they should ponder the damage and embarrassment they have done to their parents and other members of their family - obviously, people who, in the course of their lives, have tried to maintain a positive relationship with God by their membership at Cornerstone.

That is why the parents insisted upon the church attendance that the two youths so greatly detested.

Perhaps facing the realities of incarceration, plus a greater degree of maturity, will help change these youths' direction in life. However, neither will expel the negative baggage that this felony case represents - for the rest of their lives. This serious blot on their reputations can never be erased and will always limit responsibilities that others will be confident entrusting to them,

Anything that they might seek to do that involves a background check will be a difficult hurdle to overcome. An important question on many employment applications - "Have you ever been arrested?" - will deter opportunities for hiring, achievement and advancement.

The attempt to destroy Cornerstone Church was a stupid decision that ignored so many things upon which maturity and obedience to parents and other authority routinely sheds light. Presumably these two youths will not have the opportunity to test their own poor judgment and the law anytime soon.