-ing Words

Two sample sentences that came out of something I wrote recently.
Original: "The Gentiles were substituting an intimate relationship with God the Father with an informal political process."
Revised: "The Gentiles substituted an intimate relationship with God the Father with an informal political process."
The issue at hand here is the difference between "were substituting" and "substituted." The reason for the change to the latter is to make it "active voice." Active voice provides more punch in a sentence compared to its passive alternative. And in the writing world, this is desired.

Another thing I observe. The Passive (first) example is more journalistic, it is describing a process: "They were doing such and such." The Active (second) example is much more definitive with little room for debate: "They did this." Would some consider this judgmental?

The first example has an air of humility—it describes an activity but doesn't speculate as to motives. But the second, by declaring definitely what occurred invites judgment. "Why would they do that!" "Why didn't they do that?" "How dare they!"

Is there a lack of humility inherent in Active Voice? Does it encourage judgment over understanding? Is there a way to use the Active voice and still encourage humility on the reader's part?