Habitual pantang
When you're so used to being a scaredy-cat that you pretend to believe in the old stories just to avoid a fight.
'I don't believe in the ghost of the old man, but I still say I'm scared when I pass his house.'
'I don't care if it's just a story. I still say I'm going to be cursed if I don't eat my breakfast.'
'I don't believe in bad luck, but I still say I'm cursed if I don't wear my lucky hat.'