Bill O'Reilly's Tough Comments on Free Speech and the Texas Shooting: 'Insulting the Entire Muslim World Is Stupid

Bill O'Reilly joined fellow Fox News host Greta Van Susteren on Tuesday night in criticizing the Muhammad cartoon contest at the center of Sunday night's shooting in Garland, Texas, claiming that "insulting the entire Muslim world is stupid."

O'Reilly, like Van Susteren, defended free speech, but said that just because people have the right to say certain things doesn't mean that they should.

"By setting up a contest and awarding $10,000 for a depiction of the Prophet Muhammad, the American Freedom Defense Initiative spurred a violent incident," he said. "That wasn't smart, even though the group has its supporters."

The conservative commentator proceeded to respond to a viewer who backed the Muhammad cartoon contest, explaining why he believes insulting every Islamic adherent isn't a viable plan.

"Insulting the entire Muslim world is stupid," O'Reilly said. "It does not advance the cause of liberty or get us any closer to defeating the savage jihad … some Muslims countries are now fighting ISIS and Al Qaeda themselves."

Conservative commentator Laura Ingraham agreed during the segment, noting that she believes events like the Muhammad cartoon contest — though they are considered free speech — could "actually make things worse" for America.

"I don't want the Virgin Mary smeared in dung," she said, noting that she still supports the freedom to take such an offensive action. "It is number one — rude, it's unnecessary, it's not really that artistic — and it's stupid."

Watch O'Reilly's comments below:

(H/T: Mediaite)