Question for Buffy fanatics!

Ok so I was talking/arguing with my friends about Buffy last night. They are all (mostly) fans of Spike. While I like him, I like Buffy and Angel together. But anyway, so not the point. They argued that they didnt like Angel because he tried to attack Buffy when he was Angelus - his true form - and Spike didnt/wouldnt because he loves her and is a good guy. They claimed that Spike doesnt has a soul and doesnt need one to be good like Angel does. This is not correct is it. I know it started out as Spike couldnt do harm because of his chip and then he developed his soul after doing good and thats when he fell in love with Buffy. After he got a soul like Angel. Agree? DIsagree? Explain. Please! Thank You!