This bit from the Wikipedia entry on Durkheim's "The Elementary Forms of Religious Life" clarifies his perspective:

"Durkheim... argued that our primary categories for understanding the world have their origins in religion. It is religion, Durkheim writes, that gave rise to most if not all other social constructs, including the larger society.... In the end, even the most logical and rational pursuit of science can trace its origins to religion. Durkheim states that, "Religion gave birth to all that is essential in the society."

If anyone here cared to read even a page or so of his book, the discussion here would be much more interesting than it is. I'm not holding my breath, though, because most of you didn't even read the article in the OP.