Just updating this thread to add that it looks like deity quests, at least in Paineel, were in from the start; however, they were rewarding raw-hide and ring mail armor until the symbols were added in April.
So the ringmail bug was intentional but meant to be temporary.
Raw-Hide Initiate:
http://web.archive.org/web/200205141...=84454&mode=35
Ring mail Disciple:
http://web.archive.org/web/200112240...199613&mode=35