Even for me, this is an issue I've changed opinions on over time. Check out this thread I started from almost 4 years ago when I was a relatively new CFI:
http://forums.jetcareers.com/cfi-corner/19032-rant-about-why-we-need-mandatory-spin-training.html
I was strongly in favor of mandatory spin training at that point in time.
Now I've come to see a lot more variety in training and don't have nearly as strong of an opinion. I still think spins are a great activity, but have no desire to make them mandatory. There are bigger fish to fry in the flight training world.
Who ARE those guys in that thread! Wow.....talk about way back machine. And you and I were the first and second posters.
I still agree mostly with what I wrote there too.....lean towards the pro side of the fence, but am more understanding of the anti-side of the fence too, for reasons jrh has stated both here as well as offline. I'd mentioned before that I see spins as the "extra cherry on the ice cream sundae".....great to have, and always a good thing; but by no means a deal breaker on whether a guy is a good, safe pilot or not. I'd love if all students wanted spin training and would love to give it.....aerobatic and advanced handling training too; but reality is, that just isn't the case.
As with Mark from that thread, and now jrh.....I'm more on the fence on it than I was at that time.
We all evolve.