Islam’s Expansion and the Battle for Worldviews

Written by David E. Smith

Even as Christianity shows signs of regaining some cultural ground after years of steady decline, other socio-political religious movements are quietly but rapidly expanding across the United States. While Religiously Unaffiliated (atheists, agnostics, and “nones”) is the growing category overall, according to this article by Quora, Hinduism is also “quietly expanding by immigration.”

Nevertheless, Islam is now widely recognized as the third-largest religion in America, and its growth trajectory continues upward. The growth is driven primarily by high birth rates and immigration. Illinois reportedly has 474K Muslim residents.

This reality alone should prompt careful reflection. But what is even more concerning is not merely growth in numbers—it is the stated ambition behind that growth.

A recently circulated video featuring an Islamic official outlines a long-term strategy to shape American culture from within. The speaker describes a 20-year vision in which tens of thousands of Muslims would be strategically positioned in influential sectors of society—law, media, education, and filmmaking. The goal, in his own words, is clear: to “write our own history” and “write our own narrative.”

This is not simply about religious diversity. It is about influence—cultural, legal, and political influence—and ultimately about whose worldview will shape the future of our nation.

Dr. Alex McFarland, a Christian apologist and ministry leader, founder and president of Alex McFarland Ministries, has raised concerns about the broader implications of this strategy. He warns that many Americans, conditioned by a culture of uncritical tolerance, fail to recognize the long-term consequences of ideological movements that are not neutral but deeply rooted in competing truth claims.

Christians, in particular, must not be naïve.

“Despite assurances from the overly tolerant Left, the Muslim community only has one goal — to wipe out America and all she stands for,” said Dr. McFarland. He goes on to say:

Top Muslim officials have identified America as the next great nation to overthrow, and their plan is already in motion! Their utilization of American mosques is slowly taking over our country, and in 20 years, all of our freedom may be lost. We must urge the federal government to protect America from this dangerous threat to our nation. We have the distinct advantage of knowing the road map they are following to reach their goal — it is up to us as believers to fight for the very soul of our nation.

While we are called to love our neighbors, including those of different faiths and even our enemies, love does not require blindness. Scripture calls us to be both compassionate and discerning, to be “wise as serpents and innocent as doves” (Matthew 10:16). That means understanding the times and recognizing when competing worldviews seek to reshape the moral and spiritual foundations of a nation.

Moreover, loving our neighbors – the second great commandment – requires that we expose wickedness, and in this case the wickedness of Islamic Sharia.

The dilemma we face now is not whether Islam will grow in America but whether Christians will respond with clarity, conviction, and courage.

• Will we disciple our children with a biblical worldview to help them avoid the lies of the culture and of false religions?

• Will we engage in the public square with truth and grace – to ban political systems like Sharia, which is incompatible with our constitutional republic?

• Will we be good stewards of God’s gift of self-government and the freedoms we have been blessed with or surrender them through apathy?

Christians cannot be ashamed of the Gospel. We must proclaim truth in the public square and to disciple our children and grandchildren faithfully.

The future of our nation will not be decided overnight. But it is being shaped—right now—by those who understand the importance of influence. Will we allow humanists, atheists or even Islamists take the reigns of government and shape our culture?

God forbid!

Dr. George Barna, recognized as one of the most renowned Christian researchers on the state of the church, has found that among church-goers, 62% say they have a biblical worldview, but only 8% actually do.

The lack of biblical knowledge, or a biblical worldview, is a very serious problem that God says will destroy us. (Hosea 4:6)

According to Dr. Barna, there are 7 uncompromising cornerstones of a biblical worldview:

• The nature of God: infinite, eternal, unchanging, holy, loving, just, sovereign, trustworthy, merciful, faithful, revealed as one essence in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

• Humans are sinful by nature.

• Jesus Christ is the sole means to salvation, through confession of sin, reliance on His forgiveness, and repentance.

• The Bible is the Word of God – true, reliable, relevant and the best moral guide.

• Absolute moral truth exists, defined by God in scripture.

• Success is consistent obedience to God.

• Life’s purpose is to know, love, and serve God with all your heart, mind, strength and soul.

Today you can resolve to grow in your knowledge of biblical truth and while you’re learning, impart these truths to your children and grandchildren. You can begin teaching them what true Christianity is and to beware of false teachers and false doctrines. You can start by the daily reading of your Bible.

(IFI staff & AI tools assisted with proofreading, additions & clarity;
the human author made all final content decisions.)