It's a great question. It raises the issue of similarities and differences between Christian and Hindu beliefs.
Basically, reincarnation is a rebirth into a new body and a new form of existence that is entirely different from the previous life. For example, a human could get reincarnated as a cow. You can come back as another human, but you are coming back as a different man or woman than the one you were before.
Resurrection is a transformation of the body into an immortal form of the same body. The body that dies is the exact body that is raised. It is made new in the sense that it is perfected and no longer subject to frailty and death, but it is still the same body. It is restoring life to the same physical being that has died. Scholars think that it may be similar to Jesus' body after he was resurrected.
"So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body..." (1 Corinthians 15:42)
So, they're different. Even though both attest to the hope of life after death.
Having inter-faith dialogue like this helps to clarify what it is students believe while safely investigating the beliefs of others. This is what the SOR syllabus is all about, clarifying and understanding. In a culture that is complex and constantly changing, guiding students to understand their worldview and others is a great asset.
If you or your child has questions about things which aren't easily explained, of any age, send them to the email address; [email protected] to keep the dialogue going.
Stuart Tye
Chaplain