I applaud the church for trying to defend itself against slander and unfair attacks.

This church has been accused of murder and kidnapping and everything else spread all over the internet by random whack jobs. And that's what a large part of it is, complete rumors. Numerous trials and convictions for all of these massive amounts of crime? NOPE!! If there really were so many crimes by the church, then why wouldn't the victims stand up and say so and be willing to let the accused defends themselves? The victims would be harrassed for reporting it? Then report the harrassment!

What happened to a person's or group's rights to face their accuser and defend themselves against accusations?

How can anyone, a church or a person, defend themselves against general "anonymous" accusations like that?