I am a brand new player about to play NWN 1 for the first time and I admit I am somewhat of a "Purist", that is, I like my games as close to the developers intent as possible.

My question is regarding the NWN Community Patch, does the patch alter the game too far from the original and add things, or is it strictly bug fixes?

I really want other peoples opinions on this patch before I even debate using it or not...

Both. But often many features of CPs were afterward included, or adapted, in official patches. So, CPs are confidently completing the game in its spirit, and even the best fan scenarios use them..

Generally any changes/additions are to bring the game closer to the PnP rules instead of the way the devs chose to implement them.

In my opinion you can safely use the Community Patch, even being a purist (except if you're extremely puristic).
You'll get the original story, but bugs are fixed and some mechanics are changed, e.g. to prevent exploiting. I like game's on my first play through like the developers intended them to be as well, but time taught me, that not everything that is released is a finished masterpiece.
Here you find a content list, that shows what the patch contains:
http://www.neverwinternights.info/p170.htm
Check for yourself, it rather smooths the edges for the better, than altering the game to something different.